Indianapolis Colts acquire Trent Richardson from Cleveland Browns

Okay, so Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was right. This is indeed a monster deal.

The Cleveland Browns have dealt running back Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for their first round pick in 2014, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Richardson was the third overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft by the Browns. Many questioned why the Browns would use such a high pick on a running back and some viewed it as a panic move after the Washington Redskins moved up to the #2 spot to select quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Last season, Richardson rushed for 950 yards on 267 carries, an average of just 3.6 yards per carry. Richardson had 11 touchdowns on the ground. He caught 51 passes for 367 yards and added another touchdown.

So far this season, Richardson has 105 yards on 31 carries, an average of 3.4 yards per carry. He has seven catches for 51 yards. Richardson hasn’t found the end zone in 2013.

With Vick Ballard out for the season because of a knee injury and Ahmad Bradshaw, who came over from the New York Giants in the offseason, not yet up to speed, Richardson should add a dynamic aspect to the backfield and improve a rushing attack that certainly needs it.

The Colts now have the first (quarterback Andrew Luck) and third overall pick from the 2012 draft.

With the Browns off to an 0-2 start, this looks like a signal they will be in the race for a quarterback in the 2014 draft. Will the likes of Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, UCLA’s Brett Hundley and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, among others, possibly available, this might be the time to do it.