Why Trent Richardson Is a Must-Start for Week 12 Fantasy Football Action

Indianapolis Colts starter Trent Richardson has not yet proved that he’s a consistent fantasy football starter. However, in Week 12, he has a huge opportunity to establish himself as one.  

Indianapolis' leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw is out for the season with a fractured fibula, and the Colts are matched up against a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars squad. The former No. 3 overall pick, Richardson was famously traded by the Cleveland Browns to Indianapolis back in 2013 following a dismal start to his NFL career. So far, it hasn't gotten much better in Indy.

Averaging around just 3.4 yards per carry this season, many believed Richardson would be replaced by Bradshaw in the team’s starting role sooner rather than later. However, in the recent change of events due to Bradshaw's season-ending injury, Richardson will likely see most of the carries out of the Colts backfield in Week 12, and he becomes a must-start in all fantasy formats.

Starting quarterback Andrew Luck told the Indianapolis Star, “You do have to be able to run the ball. I don’t think anybody’s losing sleep or worrying about if Trent and (Dan Herron) can handle the role.” He went on to add, “I think they’re going to do a great job and really surprise a lot of people”.

Luck has had the luxury of relying on Bradshaw in pass-blocking and short-yardage situations. This limited use, due to Richardson’s pass-blocking deficiencies, has resulted in a more predicable rushing adjustment and reaction for opposing defenses, which can be one of the many reasons for Richardson’s low yards-per-carry statistic.

Although Richardson is indeed a step down in pass-blocking, he has shown that he can run over opponents in short-yardage situations when given the opportunity. This looks to be just the third time this season that the former Alabama standout sees 20-plus carries.

Jacksonville’s defense is second-worst in the NFL in points allowed, averaging 28.2 given up per game. The Jaguars have also given up 1,262 yards (126.2 per game) on the ground and have allowed 4.3 yards per carry, which both rank in the bottom half of the league. Most of all, Jacksonville has given up huge plays, as they have allowed an NFL-leading 12 rushes of 20 yards or more and three runs of 40 yards or more.

This is all great news for Richardson, who has a season-long rush of just 27 yards. Earlier this season, the Colts defeated the Jaguars by a 44-17 margin, and Richardson had a game-high 14 carries for 57 yards on the ground.

Last game (in Week 10 before their bye), the Jaguars gave up 100 yards on the ground to Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, and 154 to Cincinnati Bengals back Jeremy Hill previously in Week 9.

While Andrew Luck leads the NFL in passing yards per game, with 332.0 per game, this game will likely get out of hand relatively quickly and therefore create an opportunity to establish a running scheme as the game moves along. Richardson, who will likely be on the field for the majority of the snaps, should receive all short-yardage, third-down and goal-line opportunities that Bradshaw would have been on the field for.

As Mike Wells of ESPN.com pointed out, it’s now or never for Richardson. He will either rise to the occasion or lose the confidence of his teammates, management and fans. Look for Richardson to make a statement against Jacksonville, and for the Colts to give him every opportunity to do so.

After all, Indianapolis did give up a first-round pick to the Browns in exchange for Richardson's services. The running back is a must-start in Week 12, perhaps not because of his abilities, but because of sheer volume and the disabilities of the opposing defense.