NFL Draft 2012: Why Rams Will Select Trent Richardson over Justin Blackmon

Sam Bradford bawls.

The St. Louis Rams desperately need to enhance their quarterback’s arsenal of weapons.  But history suggests that they’ll spurn Sam to fill another hole—if you can call it that.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Trent Richardson’s link to the Rams as she tweeted:

"

#Alabama RB Trent Richardson said after his Pro Day workout he has private workouts set up with the #Browns, #Rams and #Bucs, among others.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 29, 2012"

St. Louis fans, join Bradford.

The selection is inevitable.  Jeff Fisher prioritizes the running game.  If there’s the slightest room for improvement at the halfback position, he'll upgrade in a heartbeat.

Right now, St. Louis’ receiving corps features Steve Smith, Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson and Danario Alexander.  For any other coach, those names wouldn’t satisfy.  Fisher has different standards, though.

This is a guy that forced Kerry Collins and Vince Young to throw to the likes of Drew Bennett, Bobby Wade, Justin Gage, Justin McCareins, Roydell Williams and Brandon Jones for years.  While the Tennessee Titans sent those scrubs out on to the field, they continued to heavily pursue running backs.

Tennessee spent first- or second-round picks on LenDale White, Chris Henry and Chris Johnson over the past half-dozen drafts.  Over that time span, Kenny Britt is the only highly-sought after wideout that they bothered to nab.

Justin Blackmon is the perfect pick for the Rams.  Such a selection would finally provide Bradford with the No. 1 receiver that’s he has been starving for.  But Collins and Young were hungry too—Fisher failed to feed them.

The newly hired head coach will look at the 28-year old Steven Jackson and see an aging ball carrier.  Fisher will then shift his eyes to Richardson.  In the former Alabama back, he’ll see the next Adrian Peterson.

In Fisher’s ball-control offensive attack, it’d be useful to have the next AP.  And with Brian Schottenheimer calling the plays, there’s no reason to expect any sway from Fish’s past style. 

Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets for six seasons.  During that time, New York was a run-heavy ball club.  They finished top 10 in the league in rushing three times including a first-place finish.

This April, priorities will outweigh need for the Rams.

If Richardson falls past the Cleveland Browns, Fisher won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels