NFL Draft 2012: Will the Cincinnati Bengals Land Alabama's Trent Richardson?

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is done and dusted, and while talk centers around those who increased/decreased their draft stock, there is one name that remains absent: Trent Richardson.

The Crimson Tide running back was unable to take part in any physical activity at the combine, following minor surgery on his left knee, and was visibly frustrated by that fact when talking to the gathered media.

Richardson confirmed that despite not being able to perform at the combine, he had spoken to all 32 of the league's teams, which suggests that it has yet to affect his draft stock.

Richardson has been, and continues to be, considered the top back in this year’s draft class. A Heisman Trophy finalist, Richardson has been touted as being the best RB prospect since Adrian Peterson.

He ran for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2011 and also caught 29 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns for the year.

Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has been vocal in his admiration for dual or triple-threat running back offenses, which would suggest Richardson's bell-cow ability would not be necessary. However, he did not write him off:

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"It's not a bad way to go. Keep guys fresh. They play longer, they're involved," Gruden said of the committee concept. "If something happens to one, you know you've got a guy that can come in there and be productive. Where you're not relying heavily on one guy and if something happens to him, you’re like, 'Oh God, this guy doesn't have many reps.' I think it's important to have guys touch the ball, I believe, as a committee, but if you do get a big-time guy like Trent (Richardson) then I'm not opposed to giving him the ball 30 times."

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Oakland Raiders RB Michael Bush is set to hit the open market in a few weeks time, and the Bengals are tipped to be one of the teams that will try to land him. How this will affect the draft remains to be seen, but if the Bengals were to offer Bush a long-term deal, it would suggest that they would then draft another back in the later rounds.

For any of this to matter, Richardson has to fall a long way to land at No.17, an unlikely prospect, considering the interest in him at the combine. With the likes of the Browns and the Jets potential front-runners, the Bengals will be assuming he is gone as they prepare their big board.

Gruden's comments seem to suggest that the Bengals are taking a good hard look at the running back prospects on offer, commenting: "I think the back class is very, very good this year and I wouldn't be surprised if we walk out of here with a pretty darn good back."

The Bengals could actually benefit long-term if Richardson is gone when they make their first round selections. Robert Turbin, Doug Martin and Chris Polk are all great prospects with bright futures, and taking one of them in the second round would allow Cincy to use their first-round picks on upgrading the ailing guard and cornerback positions.