Trent Richardson: Biggest Strengths and Weaknesses of 2012 NFL Draft Prospect

The fact that the difference between Trent Richardson and the next available running-back draft prospect is a full round of draft picks shows you what a great talent the Alabama prospect is.

And based on where he is drafted Thursday night, he could get even better.

The talk before this draft has centered around the quarterbacks and receivers available, but in my opinion, Richardson could be the best talent coming out, which speaks to the depth of this draft and the premium of offensive players that could be chosen in the first two rounds.

In other words, if Richardson is the best talent coming out, then this could be the best draft since 1983.

While there are so many great things to say about Richardson as a player and person, there are, of course, the other things that he will have to work on. Like all players, no one is the "perfect prospect," and while the strengths outweigh the weaknesses, they are still there for scrutiny.

Here are some of the positives and negatives when it comes to drafting this superstar.

He Does Not Have World-Class Speed

According to scouting reports from CBSSports.com (which will be used with all slides), he does not possess the greatest speed for a running back.

Richardson was clocked anywhere from 4.45 to 4.61 in the 40-yard dash. But, as the report shows us, Emmitt Smith was not the fastest back, either.

Don't worry about it, though, because Richardson still can make an impact as he gets through the defensive line into the second line of the defense.

Better Than Mark Ingram

And Richardson finished third in the Heisman voting.

All he did was run the ball 283 times for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns to break Mark Ingram's single-season school record. Not bad when you are only the starter for one season in college and you run right through people.

The scouting report says he is a smaller version of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Not a bad comparison.

And He Can Block, Too

This is so vital these days.

Runners who can block are true diamonds.

They help out not only on goal-line plays, but on play action and third-down conversions.

The Good-Hands Person

Not only can he run, but he can catch, too.

Richardson had 338 yards and three touchdowns receiving last season. He was the only hint of offense in the BCS National Championship Game, scoring the lone touchdown, a 34-yarder, in the Tide's 21-0 victory over LSU.

Can he be that effective in the pro game? If Richardson can be a pass-catcher out of the backfield, he will be a more effective threat for the offense.

Responsible and Dependable

This is something that shows he is a man in a boy's game.

Richardson has two children from a long-time relationship. He left after his junior year to come to the NFL to take care of his family.

His commitment remains strong off the playing field. We often look at the negatives of college athletes, but I think this is a strength, as it motivates him.

He Breaks Tackles

According to the report, this is probably his best trait.

He keeps his legs driving through contact and literally runs over some opponents. He features a terrific stiff arm and a spin move to help him elude defenders in pursuit. He also has the ability to leap over defenders attempting to cut his legs out from under him.

Great Outside Speed

Richardson beats the linebackers to the edge and can plant either foot in the ground and spring forward quickly, showing surprising acceleration.

In the aforementioned draft assessment, Rob Rang of CBSSports.com said, "He has the speed to pull away from defenders when he enters the open field. Switches the ball to his outside arm to help protect it as he nears the sideline."