2012 NFL Mock Draft: RB Trent Richardson Being Projected Throughout First Round

One of the more fascinating names to look for when scanning mock drafts during this year's pre-draft period is Alabama running back Trent Richardson. While some players can be commonly found with a select number of teams, Richardson is all over the first-round board. He'll go as high as No. 4 in some, and as low as 21 in others.  

Part of the reason for that discrepancy is how most NFL teams, and in turn, draft analysts, now value the running back position. More and more teams are using a two-back system where no one player takes on the majority of the work load.

If you can get three running backs that together do all the same things as a true No. 1, it's typically more cap and draft friendly while extending the NFL lifespan of every back involved. It's a win-win scenario for both parties. 

However, Richardson is good enough as an all-around player that some can overlook that drop in value. A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011, Richardson has a combination of power, speed and lateral quickness that hasn't been seen since Adrian Peterson was picked by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. He'll catch the ball out of the backfield and block in pass protection, too.

Richardson will be an interesting case study this April. He might be one of the safest picks in this draft, but which team will eventually pull the trigger?

Could the Cleveland Browns, who need a running back but also lack an answer at quarterback, take him at No. 4?

What about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? They already have LaGarrette Blount, but he's been nicked up during his two NFL seasons and nobody would doubt that Richardson has more game-breaking ability. 

From there, where do we go? All the way to Kansas City at No. 10/11 (coin flip)? The Chiefs went from first to 15th in rushing in 2011 after losing Jamaal Charles to a season-ending injury. They could combine a recovering Charles with Richardson to form a rushing duo that rivals what they had in 2010, when the Chiefs won 10 games and the AFC West.

After Kansas City, Seattle, New York, Cincinnati and Cleveland are all remaining options in the first round. At this point, it'd be a huge shock if Richardson slipped past pick 22.   

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford 

2.  St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6.  Washington Redskins—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina  

8.  Carolina Panthers—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns need to do everything they can to get a franchise quarterback, and moving up to No. 2 might be an option. The Buccaneers desperately need to upgrade their defense, so let's pass them, too.

At No. 10/11, I think the Chiefs would have a hard time letting Richardson pass. They need to get back to a run-heavy offense in 2012, and having Richardson and Charles available would be a huge boost.

Besides, the value for Richardson at No. 10/11 is certainly there. He could help the Chiefs as much or more as any team in the NFL next season.  

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College 

16.  New York Jets—Nick Perry, LB, USC

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

19.  Chicago Bears—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20.  Tennessee Titans—Zach Brown, OLB, UNC 

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

22.  Cleveland Browns—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor  

23.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia 

25.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DL, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans—Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

27.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin 

28.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois 

29.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama    

32.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama