NFL Draft 2012 Trades: How Vikings-Browns Swap Impacts Trent Richardson and More

The Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns played their own game of "Let's Make a Deal" just before the start of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Jay Glazer of FOX Sports was the first to report that the Browns sent three late-round picks to Minny so they could move up from No. 4 to No. 3 overall and secure the opportunity to select Alabama running back Trent Richardson:

"

I'm hearing we have our first trade; Cleveland moving up from #4 to #3 w Minnesota. Giving up 3 picks to move into the 3rd spot

—Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 26, 2012"

"

Sources tell me they moved up for Richardson NOT Blackmon!

—Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 26, 2012"

The move ensures that Richardson, the consensus top ball-carrier in the 2012 draft pool, will be a part of the ongoing rebuilding project in Cleveland. The Browns were in dire need of an upgrade in their offensive backfield after letting Peyton Hillis walk via free agency, leaving only Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya to carry the load for a rushing attack that ranked 31st in the NFL in 2011.

Richardson should help to rectify that situation. The former Crimson Tide star has the strength to run through defenders, the agility and athleticism to run over and around them and the speed to leave them in the dust.

Cleveland's trade, while high-profile, shouldn't shake up the top of the draft too much. The Vikings still figure to wind up with USC left tackle Matt Kalil at No. 4, just as they would've had they stood pat at No. 3. Minnesota committed itself to a future with Christian Ponder at quarterback when the team took him off the board at No. 12 in last year's draft and, as such, would be wise to do whatever it can to strengthen the offensive line in front of him.

That likely leaves the Tampa Buccaneers, who had shown considerable interest in Richardson, to take LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne at No. 5. The Bucs could use a new body in their defensive backfield now that Aqib Talib is on the trading block and Ronde Barber is on the move to safety.

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