It’s clear the Cleveland Browns wanted to remove any obstacle between the franchise and the best running back on the table in the 2012 NFL Draft. Now Trent Richardson is going to be expected to replace the departed Peyton Hillis and help relieve the offensive load on quarterback Colt McCoy.
The Browns were at No. 4 and move up one slot to No. 3. The Vikings pick up a few assets to slide back one slot, which is what Rick Spielman wanted to do as general manager. From NFL.com’s official report, “The Browns gave up their fourth-, fifth- and seventh-round picks (Nos. 118, 139, 211) in this year’s draft.”
Hillis left Cleveland in the offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs. The team has a few uninspiring options at running back, including Montario Hardesty, but Richardson gives the team an entirely new dimension. The Vikings are likely to go with either Matt Kalil or Morris Claiborne with the fourth overall selection.