Mayock says Browns need to take Trent Richardson

Posted by Evan Silva on April 19, 2012, 3:09 PM EDT
AP

The top three picks in the draft are expected to be Andrew Luck (Colts), Robert Griffin III (Redskins), and Matt Kalil (Vikings). The Browns pick fourth, and G.M. Tom Heckert stopped well short of tipping his team’s hand in a Thursday afternoon pre-draft presser.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock held a pre-draft conference call of his own on Thursday. And he knows who the Browns’ pick should be.

“If you’re not gonna take a quarterback, I think you have to take Trent Richardson,” Mayock said, referring to Alabama’s Heisman-finalist running back. “I don’t think those receivers should be in this conversation [at No. 4]. … I think Richardson’s the guy at four.”

Mayock has explained on Path to the Draft that the Browns simply must find a way to begin moving the chains on offense. Richardson would be their best bet.

“If you take [receiver] Justin Blackmon,” Mayock said on Wednesday night, “you might not even be able to get him the ball on a windy day in Cleveland.”

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51 responses to “Mayock says Browns need to take Trent Richardson”

  1. running backs are a dime a dozen, go with a weapon for colt. plus they drafted high rb picks the last few years anyways, give them a shot.

  4. Finally, someone makes sense on Browns pick at 4.
    Please, for the sake of all Browns fans, give us hope.
    Give us T-Rich.

  5. Isn’t this the same guy who said the Browns had to “to take him at No. 4 and maybe even three”?

  7. I wouldn’t let mayock pick my nose…if this guy is so smart why isn’t he running a team? maybe, and its a BIG MAYBE he could do better than matt millen.

  8. Isn’t this the same guy who said the Browns had to to take Tannehill “at No. 4 and maybe even three”?

  9. I agree with Mayock and I’ll make a bold prediction: by 2014 Trent Richardson will be universally recognized as the best RB in the NFL.

  11. “If you take [receiver] Justin Blackmon,” Mayock said on Wednesday night, “you might not even be able to get him the ball on a windy day in Cleveland.”

    John Elway could ; ) . Seriously though . RB seems to be the one position you can get a real good one in the second half of a draft . I would try to trade out if Tannehill doesn’t excite you . Colt McCoy isn’t going to be the long term answer .

  13. So Mayock takes a shot at Colt McCoy?

    Mayock was drafted by the Steelers but was cut, signed with another team and barely played in his 2 year career. He is not in the position to rip one players who can, and do, play in the NFL.

  14. If the Browns don’t take Ryan Tannehill at four, then they should take Blackmon. History has shown you can find good RB’s later in the draft, but the top WR’s like Blackomn are a commodity seldom found in the later rounds.

  16. If you saw the games in which Ingram and Richardson played together, you know this guy is the real deal. He looked better Period.

  20. “If you take [receiver] Justin Blackmon,” Mayock said on Wednesday night, “you might not even be able to get him the ball on a windy day in Cleveland.”
    ————-

    That is one of the stupidest things I have ever read. Mayock may be correct about the Browns needing Richardson, but he should really avoid talking, if at all possible, and stick to writing.

  21. I understand where Mayock is coming from on the weather situation, and with all other division rivals playing outdoors doesn’t help either. I do think its neccesary to get Colt McCoy some weapons, its time to find out if he can play or not.

    They have a great LT in Thomas, I think you draft a talent @ WR and while there won’t be the same skill set at HB as Richardson, there are still plenty of other HBs in FA and later in the draft.

    Find out if Colt is the man or move on if he doesn’t improve.

  22. dryzzt23 says: Richardson could be the next Knowshon Moreno, another overhyped SEC RB who can’t play big boy football

    Bad post, even worse logic.

    You can say that about literally ANYONE.

    –Andrew Luck could be another Pac-12 bust like Ryan Leaf.

    –RG3 could be another Big-12 bust like Vince Young.

    Name the player and the conference and I can connect them to a bust. Doesn’t mean they will be.

  23. If the Browns don’t take Ryan Tannehill at four, then they should take Blackmon. History has shown you can find good RB’s later in the draft, but the top WR’s like Blackomn are a commodity seldom found in the later rounds.

    Historically there are so many first round busts at wr position I would be leery to draft one that high unless he was a Julio Jones , AJ Green , Andre or Calvin Johnson type lock . Blackmon isn’t . This draft doesn’t have one . If you have to draft someone I would take Claiborne . True shutdown corners are rare & it is a passing league . I bet they can get Stephen Hill in the 2nd round .

  24. NOBODY needs to take a running back in the first round. Especially not a team with so many other holes. In the AFC north, the teams don’t even have offenses where you’re worried about keeping them off the field. Build our offensive line and passing game… It’s how you win in the league. Then your defense. Running game is an afterthought.

  28. Fan On Fire_Maurice Barksdale says:
    Apr 19, 2012 3:20 PM
    If the Browns don’t take Ryan Tannehill at four, then they should take Blackmon. History has shown you can find good RB’s later in the draft, but the top WR’s like Blackomn are a commodity seldom found in the later rounds
    ___________________________________

    Then why trade out the 6th spot last year instead of taking Julio Jones? I’m not sure if Blackmon would even be the 3rd best receiver in last years draft.

  31. I hope they trade their pick to the Pats so the Pats can take Richardson @ 4. Saban and Belichek are buds, so I can pretty much guarantee you the thought has been ping ponged around the front office at Foxboro.

  32. mrstinkypants says: I hope they trade their pick to the Pats so the Pats can take Richardson @ 4. Saban and Belichek are buds, so I can pretty much guarantee you the thought has been ping ponged around the front office at Foxboro.

    Not a bad idea, but through the course of the Belichick Era the Patriots have never made a move like that.

  33. I am not a Mayock slappy, but I agree with his opinion here. And I’ll tell you why.

    Many of you say ‘you can find a good RB later in the draft’. That’s true, but you can also find garbage there as well, often disguised as a good RB. Trent Richardson gives you three dimensions to your offense, where as Blackmon gives you one. Richardson is an excellent pass blocker. He is a good receiver out of the backfield. And he is a damn fine back, capable of power and explosion. He would take immense pressure off Colt McCoy to carry the team. Justin Blackmon is a great receiver, no offense to him. But he doesn’t bring all those dimensions to the table, and an opposing defense won’t scheme for him like they would for Richardson.

    I don’t always agree with Mayock, but I think he’s got this one right.

  34. They should look at trading down but if that doesn’t work I’d go for Richardson. I think he’s going to be a difference maker, and just because you can find elite running backs in the second round doesn’t mean there is always one there.

  35. Everyone seems to have bought into this Alex Gibbs “Give-me-a-fourth-rounder-and-I-can-make-him-an-All-Pro” philosophy.

    In top ten on the “Career rushing TD’s” list (it’s all about points right?), only ONE player (Curtis Martin) was not a first rounder and more than half were top ten picks.

    Yes, you can find good, league-leading RBs in later rounds (although not too late: LeSean McCoy and MJD were second rounders) but the transcendent RB talents in football history have all been first round talent. Currently, Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden and Marshawn Lynch were all first round picks and they’ll be near the top when healthy.

  36. All this talk about McCoy not being an NFL QB to lead a team..He like other QBs didn’t have the benefit of OTAs and other times to learn a brand new system with a brand new coach due to the labor disruption. I think that’s huge in his development.

    When he does play the games/offence, the Browns I believe, led the league in dropped passes. So, this is McCoys fault how? The Browns have to stop bringing in a guy for a year then moving on to the next guy in the hopes of unearthing another Bernie Kosar in the draft.They need to strengthen other areas.

    How is Richardson with his pass catching? I think in the West Coast Offence, one would need an RB who can catch the dinks and quick slot passes, etc.

    The defence looks like it is starting to come together. The special teams, well, yeah, it looks like it will no longer be a category after Goodell is finished. So that leaves the offence.

    If should be interesting on draft day.

  37. Cleveland, you’d dam well better take Richardson. He gives you a real threat, great blocker, excellent receiver and pops outa holes like they’re donuts. Leave Tannehill alone, Colts way ahead of him, blacken isnt enough for #4. Trend Richardson will move those chains, on way or another. Don’t be idiots and let this kid go by. He will make Cleveland fall in love with him. Probably ROOKIE OF THE YEAR. DONT MESS THIS UP!!

  38. I can buy into lower round RB talent, but Richardson is in the Tomlinson-Peterson class. His skill set is THAT impressive.

    That being said, the second round produces some studly RB’s as well; Matt Forte, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, etc.

    Too many teams would be tempted to take Richardson after #4, so the Browns need to jump on that. #22 could get them a solid WR anyway.

  39. dryzzt23 says:
    Apr 19, 2012 3:20 PM

    Mayock was drafted by the Steelers but was cut, signed with another team and barely played in his 2 year career. He is not in the position to rip one players who can, and do, play in the NFL.
    ______

    True. And he was spectacularly wrong about the 2011 #1 pick in the draft. But doesn’t what you describe make Mayock infinitely more qualified than Mel Kiper or Todd McShay, who aren’t even qualified to be a ballboy on a football field?

  40. I think their best Draft Statagy is taking a RB and an OL early. If the vikings pass up Kalil i think that He would be a better pick at 4 and they would be able to snag a stud like Miller with their second first round pick or Williams with their second round pick.

    Assuming Kalil isnt there Richardson is the most Bust-proof player; he is the full-package and although you can often find a good running back later in the draft it requires you to have a very good offensive line… As it currently stands Cleveland’s line is poor. Sure they have two probowlers but the other three starters are very marginal… if they were to pick someone other than Kalil or richardson with their first pick, but then get another tackle and a guard with their 2nd and 3rd picks they may be able to find a productive back. But the obvious Choice is a TRich because like MJD and AP he will be able to get great production behind a marginal Oline.

  43. youhavenoclue says:

    who cares? its the browns
    ————
    Who is this? David? David Modell, is that you?

  44. Draft Richardson with #4, best WR left #22, best RT #37. That will give McCoy his weapons and the right side of the line. If he can’t get it done then, the Browns draft a QB next year. He looked like he’d be a very good QB in 2010 when he beat NE and NO, and he looked good against the steelers in the 1st game.

    I think last season was a product of no off season, new system, no reliable RB, and WRs dropping balls. It’s his 3rd year and time to prove he can play.

  45. ok i hope people really think bout wat i hope the browns will do.
    1st dont take richardson people talkin bout move the chains well thats all good but umm McCoys isnt the answer he can has no deep ball or medium ball!!! from what i hear tannehill has a better upside to Colt arm strength and etc and being taller.
    2nd. we dont need blackmon he’s only 6ft he not tall he’s not a physical beast like a calvin or andre
    3rd maybe we need a shutdown corner but too high for corner

  47. I agree but for different reasons. I honestly don’t see Blackmon being any different than Browns receiver Greg Little. Little hadn’t played football since 2009 and played WAY better than he should have, keeping up with AJ Green and Julio Jones pretty well. That kid is going to have a breakout year in 2012 actually having an offseason to learn the Browns playbook (and so should McCoy).

    I can’t say that about the Browns running backs. They need to replace Hillis with a good pass catching/blocking running back. Richardson fits that mold

  48. I completely agree with everyone who’s arguing that “RBs are a dime a dozen” and “you can find talent in late rounds and UDFA” and whatnot. Completely agree. But to couple that logic with picking Justin Blackmon isn’t sound.

    The drop off between Richardson and the next best RB is pretty significant. The dropoff between Blackmon and the rest of the WR class isn’t nearly as wide. Blackmon isn’t the all-world talent that everyone makes him out to be. Where does he compare with the tops in the NFL? He’s nowhere close to a Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, etc. I’d venture to say he’s not even in a class with AJ Green or Julio Jones. And you don’t spent a top 5 pick on a guy just because he’s the best at a position of need for that specific year.

    I was against drafting Richardson, and was content to to roll with Hillis and Hardesty another year, and I coupled that with trading up for RG3. That notion died… Richardson or Claiborne should be the pick. I’d even prefer Tannehill over Blackmon. Colt needs weapons, but we can easily land a solid reliable receiver at 22, or in the 2nd round.

    Giants just won the Superbowl with a crop of WR’s who, individually, are #2 talents at best. You can’t tell me Cruz, Nicks or Manningham are top flight talents. Blackmon could be in THEIR class, but so could Stephen Hill, Kendall Wright, or Alshon Jeffrey.

  50. The one and only thing i know is. Heckert should not try and out think his !@#$%^&=-self. Take RICHARDSON!!!!!!! And quit @!~`&^%# playing games. I’m getting sick and tired of the )(*&%$#!!!!!

  51. To Dryzzt23: Just b/c this GUY played in the NFL I’d take him more serious then you .This guy knows more about playing in a game and all of those yrs he played to just get a chance to play..how long were your playing days(?)..then we can say if you trust you or him to make a comment in a news story about the draft and why a team should pick a certain player over another.

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