Why Trent Richardson Has Guaranteed Himself a Top 5 Spot

Even Alabama's Trent Richardson struggles to deny this growing truth about the NFL, but that doesn't mean he isn't looking to buck the trend.   

Over the last six or so years, the running back position in the NFL has been devalued as much as any in the game. We see this in the small number of big contracts given to No. 1 backs around the league. Guys like Matt Forte and Ray Rice are unable to secure long-term deals despite their proven track record of production.

It is also easily visible in where teams draft the position every April.

Asked at the Alabama pro day on Thursday about the league's expanding weariness for taking running backs in the early stages of the draft, Richardson had a stern response.

"I want to set the bar high and put us back on the map and show them that we're very, very rare and that we need to be in the Top 5, Top 10," Richardson told CBS Sports. "We need to be up there high."

Since 2007, only three running backs—Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, Oakland's Darren McFadden and Buffalo's C.J. Spiller—have been taken in the draft's first 10 picks. Last season, only Alabama running back Mark Ingram heard his name called on day one. 

Reggie Bush and McFadden are the only two backs that have been taken in the first five selections over the last six years.

In the end, Richardson should be the third.

After running the 40-yard dash at his pro day in an unofficial time ranging from 4.47 to 4.52 seconds, the 227-pound Richardson has given himself every opportunity to be a top-five pick in next month's draft.

His talent is undeniable. Richardson has straight-line speed but also the kind of strength (25 reps at 225 pounds), lateral quickness and impact in the passing game that should allow him to be a three-down player at the next level. 

To most, Richardson is the most complete back coming out of college since Peterson, who the Vikings drafted at No. 7 overall in 2007.

There should be fits for Richardson in the top five, too.

The Cleveland Browns have been flirting with quarterbacks this offseason, but have a clear need at running back. If they aren't sold with Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill at No. 4 overall, Richardson could certainly be their pick.

Cleveland let former running back Peyton Hillis go this offseason, so sooner or later, the team will need to address the position in the draft. Getting the clear No. 1 back would be a huge upgrade to an offense that struggled to move the football in 2011. 

One pick later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers also make a lot of sense, where the new head coach Greg Schiano is looking to makeover a running game that ranked in the bottom five of the NFL last season.

LeGarrette Blount is the incumbent starter, but Richardson would immediately become the team's No. 1 back if taken at No. 5 overall.

Running behind offensive guards Carl Nicks, a two-time NFL All-Pro who the Bucs signed this offseason, and Davin Joseph, a 2011 Pro Bowler, Richardson could push 1,200 yards in his rookie season.

Either way, it is difficult to envision both the Browns and Buccaneers passing on such a dynamic talent at a need position.

There were plenty of teams, including the Browns, that passed on Peterson five years ago. Either Cleveland or Tampa Bay will make sure Richardson avoids the short free-fall of Peterson by taking the draft's No. 1 back at No. 4 or 5 overall.