2012 NFL Draft: The New York Jets Going After Trent Richardson?

The New York Jets, who currently have the 16th pick in the first round of the draft, may be interested in Alabama's RB Trent Richardson, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Cimini tweeted:

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At NFL event today, Trent Richardson said Jets called him Sunday to verify correct contact info just in case they trade up for him. Hmm.

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One word for this: Absurd.

We know what it will take to move up that early in the draft to get the star running back—a bunch of draft picks. But can the Jets afford to do that? Is it worth it?

Yes, the Jets need some help at the running back position, but they shouldn't give away almost all their picks to get Richardson—not when they have other pressing matters they need to address first, i.e. right tackle, outside linebacker, safety and wide receiver.

How much of the running game can be attributed to the Mark Sanchez's regression his third year? If defenses felt Sanchez wasn't a threat, they would stack against the run. So how effective could Shonn Greene really have been?

At the same time, how much of Sanchez's regression can be attributed to the offensive line's poor play?

So, on offense, a more important need for the Jets is a lineman that knows how to block and is able to protect Sanchez, or a playmaker at the wide receiver position. Sanchez does need more weapons in the passing game in order for him to make progress.

How about addressing the defense? Defense wins championships. The New York Giants proved that this past season with their ferocious pass rush in the playoffs.

The Jets had one of the top pass defenses in the league, but their pass rush was atrocious. They need a DE/OLB hybrid playmaker that can get to the QB without having to call all-out blitzes that leave the middle of the field open.

The future of defenses is dictated by the evolution of offenses, and right now, offenses are using three and four wide receiver sets which include big tight ends. The Jets need to address this issue with a versatile defender.

Having a stud running back is good and all, but when was the last time (in recent memory) a stud running back led his team to a championship?

Richardson would be a nice addition to the roster, but there are so many other important needs the team needs to fix. 

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