Fantasy Football Week 2: Should Owners Trade Trent Richardson While He's Hot?

Trent Richardson and the Cleveland Browns showcased a high-powered offense in Week 2, and that production may put an early peak on Richardson's trade value.

After a Week 1 loss that saw Richardson rush for a mere 39 yards on 19 carries, the Browns' Week 2 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals provided the kind of offensive turnaround that fantasy owners desperately needed.

Richardson's totals against the Bengals provided some form of validity for his high fantasy draft value, as he rushed for 109 yards on 19 carries while also catching four balls for 36 yards and two total touchdowns.

However, is this the kind of output we can expect the Browns to facilitate on a consistent basis?

Quarterback Brandon Weeden has a limited amount of time with the offense and an even more limited selection of quality targets to throw to.

It seems safe to assume that his number of 300-yard passing games this season will be countable on one hand.

Which means that now would be the time to deal Richardson, while he and the rest of the offense are coming off a tremendous performance.

His workload is only going to increase as the season goes on, which would normally be a bonus to fantasy owners, but Richardson may be the rare case in which that does not hold true.

The Browns will struggle throwing the ball against elite defenses, which means a stacked box ready to shut down their best weapon, Richardson.

He is going to take a beating all season and be highly susceptible to injury, just like the knee injury that forced him to miss the preseason.

And let's be honest: Outside of left tackle Joe Thomas, the Cleveland offensive line is far from ideal.

So why not look to deal Richardson while the iron is somewhat hot?

His numbers are going to be highly inconsistent all year, and there are safer players out there that may not be coming off quite as productive weeks.

There is always a fantasy owner or two that can't help but mix up his roster after an 0-2 start, and that opens a window for you to take advantage of the panic.

If you feel that Richardson is your answer as an RB1 and will consistently gain 100 yards on the ground week in and week out, then don't move him.

But know that his trade-value peak has been reached.