Trent Richardson to thrive in Indy?
According to numerous reports, the Colts have acquired running back Trent Richardson from the Browns in exchange for a future first-round draft pick. Wow is the first thing I will say. If you guys remember back before the 2013 NFL Draft, [level-all]the Colts were one of my favorite landing spots for the top rookie rushers in this 2013 rookie draft class. Indy is an ideal environment for an elite rusher like T-Rich. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited to see what Norv Turner had in store for Richardson, and I still think the runner would have eventually had good success under Turner, but let’s be honest, Cleveland didn’t use Richardson properly in Weeks 1 and 2, and trading away a top five NFL running back makes no sense…. so, no longer having to worry about proper usage of T-Rich over in Cleveland is pretty awesome. While it’s tough to predict what this all means for Week 3 (stay on the news, and on our forums), Richardson is back in the top 1-5 fantasy running back spotlight despite his slow start. Ahmad Bradshaw could have had some solid success in Indy had this move not taken place, but one has to wonder how healthy Bradshaw is for Indy to make this kind of move. Regardless, healthy or not, Bradshaw is surely going to be moved aside, and Richardson will thrive. Richardson was a buy-low recommendation to start the week, and was on our buy-low list last week… congrats if you landed him, and nice work if you kept the faith!
Colts GM Ryan Grigson reportedly told reporters late on Wednesday that the team traded for Richardson to drive home their power rushing game. “We need people who can get us yards, can keep defenses honest,” said Grigson. “We’re going to run the football. Trent has proven he can run it.” Get ready for top 1-5RB production moving forward!
Who starts in Cleveland moving forward?
At the moment, the leading candidates to start Week 3 are Chris Ogbonnaya and Bobby Rainey, but word is that Willis McGahee could sign in Cleveland shortly. If McGahee lands with the team, he would likely be the new starter, but really it’s tough to tell at this point. No matter who the starter is, you have to wonder if that player will be effective at all given how this organization is running things.
Stay informed on our Forums!
Because this situation is still evolving, be sure to stay on top of all of the latest on our fantasy football forums!
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What the F… Is going on with the Browns? What are they smoking? Rebuilding after two games? How hurt is Weeden? Are they angling for #1 overall pick next year? Insanity! What don’t we know?
The Browns are off their rocker… TRich is a top 5RB, and this move by CLE just goes to show they didn’t value him like he deserved to be valued. Indy will run, run, run.
Bobby Rainey
Nice catch.
This trade starts a new era for the Colts franchise.
They have their poster boy in Luck, young wide out in Hilton and now their new work horse back Richardson. Indianapolis was blessed to witness Peyton, James, Wayne and Harrison. They now are the envy of the league once again with Luck, Hilton and Richardson.
This trade might be the biggest thing since the Walker/Dickerson/Faulk deals. As if we needed another reason to anoint Luck as the future #1 in fantasy, TR might make claim to his own #1 spot come next year.
As for the Browns, its clear this is a fire sale. Its still in the air whether Josh Gordon will still be with them. What’s for sure is the city of Cleveland have been hit again with yet another star leaving them. There is talks that Johnny Manziel is the target of the Browns along side Teddy Bridgewater with they’re second 1st round pick given by the Colts. Just when you think they got over Lebron….
Amazing trade. Love this for all Colt players!
^^^great comment
Smitty,
In light of the big trade, would you trade Newton for Luck?
I think so.
Smitty,
Random question but why no ranking for Charles Clay Miami’s TE this week? Would u play Fleener over Clay? Clay has had a ton of targets and also gets some goal line work.
Great question, I’ll ensure he is added. I guess I’d go Fleener for now, but hey, it’s close, and either could have one of those games. Trust your gut, as I don’t have a strong feeling one way or another. I’d by lying if I said I was itching to start one over the other.
I think the browns are going to try and chase a QB next year. They’re loading up on Draft picks so they can move up in the draft (if necessary). It’s the only logic that makes any sense to me.
Well, they may end up, and would have ended up, with that QB all without getting the Colts late first-round pick. It’s crazy how ok the NFL circles are with this. It’s funny how fantasy circles actually have a jump on rising talent and identifying it. It has much to do with fantasy worlds being in the predicting business and NFL circles being more in the “what have you proven lately” frame of mind. I know I’m bias, but NFL organizations need fantasy scout talent, there is something to what we do and how it relates to predicting success for a player.
In light of the trade, would you drop Josh Gordon for Hopkins? How does Gordon rank for the rest of the season?
I might. I’m assuming we’re talking redraft. In dynasty, Hopkins wouldn’t be available I imagine, as he is a future WR1 IMO. Yeah, I probably make that move, although, it wouldn’t shock me if Gordon saw a grip of targets now that CLE will struggle even more on the ground. Tough call, but Hopkins is probably the better player and better play weekly even as a rook.
I’m holding on to Josh Gordan. What if he’s traded? His value goes down after the TRich trade but he could still produce in Cleveland and anywhere else he goes if traded.