Cleveland Browns Deal Former No. One Pick

18 Sep, 2013

Cleveland traded powerful running back Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, a stunning move just two games into this season and only one year after drafting Richardson in the first round.

Richardson was dealt for a first-round selection in next year’s draft, when the Browns will have two opening-round picks and 10 overall. Cleveland is rebuilding and the team hopes to use those picks – seven in the first four rounds – to help turn around a floundering franchise mired in losing for more than a decade.

Such a reversal was what the Browns had in mind when they took Richardson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 draft. The former Alabama running back has it all: power, speed and good hands.

Browns CEO Joe Banner said that there was nothing negative about Richardson and the team simply seized an opportunity to improve. And the Colts have been looking for a back since Vick Ballard suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The shocking trade came on the same day Chudzinski announced that third-string quarterback Brian Hoyer will start Sunday against Minnesota. Hoyer got the surprising nod over backup Jason Campbell to fill in for starter Brandon Weeden, who is sidelined with a sprained right thumb.

In addition, the Browns are bringing in free agent running back Willis McGahee for a physical and will sign him if he passes. A two-time Pro Bowl pick, McGahee was most recently with Denver.

Banner said the decision to deal Richardson is in keeping with a plan to overhaul the team.

AP

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