The Trent Richardson Deal: An Analysis

 

Rarely do we see massive in-season trades made during the NFL season, especially after just two weeks, but the Trent Richardson deal from the Cleveland Browns to the Indianapolis Colts has significant ramifications for both teams. Following this move, it is certainly fair to say that these two franchises are moving in opposite directions. 



Cleveland is in a full rebuild mode highlighted by the fact that they made several significant moves in the offseason, such as  hiring a new head coach in Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator in Norv Turner. The Browns  revamped their defense by drafting Barkevious “KeKe” Mingo, and signing Desmond Bryant and Paul Kruger to expensive deals. Indy on the other hand is poised to move right back into the upper-echelon of the league with franchise quarterback Andrew Luck at the helm. 

The Browns received just a first round pick in the 2014 Draft for the young Richardson, just over one year after trading away their first, fourth, fifth, and seventh round picks to move up one spot to select him third overall. Browns GM Mike Lombardi and president Joe Banner were not present when the move for Trent was made in the 2012 Draft, and they decided that the Alabama product would not be a part of their future plans. 
Speaking of these plans, what are they exactly? 

Cleveland still has a couple of young weapons in tight end Jordan Cameron and wide receiver Josh Gordon, but inconsistent quarterback play will surely hinder their full potential in the near future. While Cleveland looked as if it is tanking this season after making the trade they have actually looked pretty good since, compiling a 3-1 record. If they maintain this kind of success it may actually hurt the team’s future as they might not be in the Teddy Bridgewater sweepstakes. 

Meanwhile Indianapolis is in the driver’s seat, finally addressing its only weakness on offense – the running game. Trent certainly has the ability to carry the workload, especially after losing both Vick Ballard and Ahmad Bradshaw for the season. In acquiring one of the best young backs in the league, Indy just gave up what will likely end up being a very late first rounder. Those picks not necessarily a sure thing as seen by the Browns’ selection of current erratic starting quarterback Brandon Weeden with a late first rounder (No. 22 overall) in 2012. 

The immediate future looks bright for Indianapolis and its outspoken owner Jim Irsay could not be any happier, while Cleveland Brown’s owner Jimmy Haslam is currently the subject of a federal investigation for allegedly knowing about a defrauding scam taking place within his trucking company (ESPN); the fallout of the Trent Richardson deal may not even be at the top of the latter’s concerns at the moment.