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Oakland Raiders: Adding Trent Richardson Right Move

By Khaled Abdallah

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The Oakland Raiders announced on the team’s Twitter page today that they have signed free-agent running back Trent Richardson. The team did not release the official contract numbers but according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the deal is worth $3.9 million over two years. Rapoport also reports that Richardson can make up to $4 million per year based on incentives built in to the contract.

We do not know the exact incentives but we can safely assume that they are based on production and performance. Richardson has stated in the past that he would like to be a starter in the NFL and after signing with the Raiders he reiterated that desire. ESPN.com Raiders insider Bill Williamson tweeted that Richardson wants to be a “bell-cow back” for the Raiders and that he is coming to Oakland to win the starting job. The former Heisman candidate has a massive chip on his shoulder and has plenty of doubters to try and prove wrong.

Fans of other teams around the league are blasting the Raiders for the move but that is to be expected considering the current reputation of the team. Comments like “that’s so Raiders” or “Raiders being Raiders” are thrown around as if general manager Reggie McKenzie is betting the house on Richardson succeeding. They wonder why the Raiders would sign a player they believe is washed up but the reality is that he has talent and the Raiders are thin at the running back position.

Roy Helu is a good third-down back and pass blocker but is not a starter. Latavius Murray has tremendous potential but is unproven so why not take a flyer on some competition for the third year back?

There are also many Raiders fans that are criticizing the move for the same reasons but this is your usual low-risk high-reward move that we see NFL general managers make every year. If Richardson does not pan out then he will be out the door before the regular season begins and the Raiders can bring in a replacement.

Whether that is a player they drafted in the later rounds of the draft or a free agent is irrelevant but it is clear that Richardson can be replaced. If he does succeed in a Raiders uniform and shows the same form that saw him break Jim Brown’s rookie rushing record then it will be an absolute steal for McKenzie.

Nov 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) runs in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. Colts won, 23-3.Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

The only counter argument to this deal that makes sense is the fact that there are so many talented running backs available in the draft. Players like Duke Johnson, David Cobb, or Ameer Abdullah could be available in the second- or third-round. So why spend a roster spot on Richardson? The Raiders have so many other much more pressing needs than running back and by signing Richardson the Raiders can spend their high draft picks on filling another need.

The defensive line still needs work and so do the wide receiver and tight end positions. This gives the Raiders front office more flexibility in their draft strategy and they can still find another running back late in the draft. Let us not forget that the player that many Raiders fans have crowned the next best thing in Murray, who was a sixth-round selection in the 2013 draft.

There are several ways that the move for Richardson could pan out but none of them will really hurt the Raiders. McKenzie placed a small bet on the success of a player drafted in the first round just three years ago and is still just 24 years old.

If it pays off then it will pay dividends for the Oakland offense and their much-improved offensive line. If not, then the Raiders will take a minimal cap hit, if any at all, and they move on none the worse for wear.

Next: Oakland Raiders Free Agency: Rating The Moves So Far

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