2012 NFL Draft: Why Browns Should Go with Trent Richardson, Not Justin Blackmon

The Browns have the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft and while they have a plethora of directions they could go in depending on their selection, Alabama running back Trent Richardson offers them the biggest payoff.

Cleveland president Mike Holmgren recently said that he was leaning toward committing to Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace, which would seem to eliminate quarterback Ryan Tannehill from contention. Holmgren also added that he is disenchanted by the prospect of trading down, and one particular thing he told the News-Herald's Jeff Schudel seemed to allude to the idea that that the team is leaning toward Richardson:

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The other plan we talked about was to use those draft picks to make our football team better immediately … to help our quarterbacks on the team, or anybody else who would come on the team, be better because we've surrounded the position with better players.

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Though the team is also reportedly considering Oklahoma State wideout Justin Blackmon, Richardson—who has been heralded as the best running back to hit the draft since Adrian Peterson—seems to fit Holmgren's description perfectly.

When he finally stepped out of the shadow of Mark Ingram as a junior, Richardson rushed for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns—an impressive feat in the nation's top defensive conference—en route to a national championship with the Crimson Tide. He's also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield, where he made 29 receptions for 338 yards and three TDs last season.

Scouts say his breakaway speed is impressive, and he's already played in a pro-style offense under Nick Saban at Alabama, removing some of the adjustment time.

NFLdraftscout.com analyst Rob Rang told the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot:

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If I were operating that club, I'd take Trent Richardson ahead of Blackmon. He has the best tape of any player in the draft, and you can make the argument he's the best player in the draft."

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Richardson is far and away the best backfield prospect in this year's draft and he dispels the notion that teams shouldn't expend early picks on running backs. If Holmgren is truly looking for someone to step into this offense immediately and make a big difference, Richardson is his guy.