Who has most pressure to improve for the 2014 NFL season?
By Kim Myers
Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts Running Back
Trent Richardson went from being the number 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft to one of the most surprising trades in recent NFL history. At the time of the trade, Cleveland looked crazy for trading away such a high draft pick before anyone could correctly label him hero or bust. Then Richardson got to Indianapolis and, to put it mildly, stunk. His best numbers were in Week 15 against Houston where he totaled 64 yards on 19 carries. He only started 8 games total for the Colts in 2013 and while they still made the playoffs, Richardson was nonexistent in the offense.
Honestly, Cleveland can still end up looking crazy for this trade considering the fact that Richardson was traded away for not fitting into the “system” in place at the time in Cleveland, which of course, now they’re under a completely new “system” with a new head coach. Still, that doesn’t lessen the amount of pressure that’s on Richardson to perform to his draft pedigree and make Cleveland look stupid for trading him away. Clearly, the Colts’ offensive success doesn’t hinge upon the yards totaled by Richardson, but they can only become a more balanced offensive team if he’s a threat.