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There is are two major ways of looking at drafting. Do you pick purely based on talent, regardless of position? Or do you pick based on team needs?
Trent Richardson is probably a top five prospect purely based on skills alone. I have no doubt that if he can stay healthy that he will be a great back in the NFL.
After the two quarterbacks come off the board, it is between him, Matt Kalil and Morris Claiborne for the best player available. I have a strong feeling that Claiborne and Kalil are going to go before Richardson.
The fact is that no matter how good he might be, Trent Richardson plays the most disposable position in all of football, the running back.
The reasons for this are numerous. First of all, running backs take a lot of abuse doing what they do. Secondly, most modern NFL teams are doing a running-back-by-committee program, where two or more rushers tote the rock. You can get the same production from two backs that you can get from one, and you can help keep both players healthy. Third, and most importantly, how long has it been since having a franchise running-back meant you were going to win a title?
Look at the last few Super Bowl winners. The Giants had two decent backs when they made their run, but it was Eli's offense. The Packers won the Super Bowl because Aaron Rodgers got hot. The Pack's running game was atrocious that year. Ditto for the 2009-2010 season champs, the Saints.
We're in a passing league now and on both sides of the ball, the most valuable players are the ones that contribute most to the passing game. There is the quarterback (obviously) the men who protect him (offensive lineman, specifically left tackle), men who go after the quarterback and men who try to disrupt the receivers (corners).
There is a lot to be impressed with as far as Richardson goes. Some GM out there will see him and think that they absolutely must have him. However, I don't know if that is necessarily a good thing for him.
He might hate to hear this, but Trent Richardson might have a better career if he ends up falling to a team with an established quarterback. Great running backs are no longer must haves in this league. They are just nice to have to help make your offense more rounded.
It might sound harsh, but I mean it with all my heart. I would rather take a top-two or three prospect in the cornerback, quarterback, tackle and defensive end positions over the top running-back prospect any day.
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