The 2012 NFL Draft is only a few days away and the excitement can be felt by anyone involved with the game and all of the fans. Whether it is smokescreens or not, we are beginning to see “favorites” emerge for each team’s first pick in the draft. One of the more interesting targets on draft day will be Alabama running back Trent Richardson.
Richardson is expected to go to the Cleveland Browns with the fourth-overall pick, but the New York Jets may try everything in their power to prevent that from happening.
Per ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini, the Jets top priority in round one will be exploring a trade into the top end of the draft in order to land Richardson. How realistic is the move? Perhaps more realistic than we believe.
It was just back in 2009 that the Jets were sitting at the 17th overall pick before jumping up to fifth overall to select quarterback Mark Sanchez. Who was the Jets trading partner? The Cleveland Browns. The Jets gave up their first and second-round picks to move up for the signal-caller.
This year, the Jets sit at 16th overall, while the Browns sit at fourth overall. It is the same two teams and once again a difference of twelve slots. Would Cleveland be willing to pass on Richardson? That is more unlikely, but perhaps they’d be interested in adding even more picks to their arsenal.
For New York, it makes perfect sense why they would want to move up for Richardson. They are looking to return to the ground-and-pound offense and they lack any dynamic rushing threat. Richardson is an elite prospect and could become a special rusher for the team. He is exactly what they need.
If the Jets fall short of their main target and don’t pull off the trade, they’re expected to move up a few slots to land a pass rusher — South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram is a name being mentioned.
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