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Power ranking: The 13 biggest running back busts of all-time

By Robert Judin

Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 26, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Trent Richardson (33) carries the ball under the supervision of running backs coach Bernie Parmalee at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Trent Richardson (33) carries the ball under the supervision of running backs coach Bernie Parmalee at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Trent Richardson

While Ryan Clark’s viewpoint in saying that Richardson is the worst running back of all-time is understandable, he’s so irretrievably wrong that it’s incredible.

Look, Richardson has definitely disappointed so far. He left Alabama as a potential NFL superstar and has not even grazed the expectations we all had for him.

But here’s why he’s not higher on this list: he’s still playing. It was three years ago that Richardson rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns on 267 carries for the Cleveland Browns.

It isn’t unfair to blame the Browns for Richardson’s downfall either. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts after the first two games of 2013, but the Colts had a mediocre offensive line in front of him.

Don’t get me wrong. We’ve all seen the pictures and videos of Richardson missing gaping holes, but he was averaging 3.4 yards per carry for the Browns in those two games in 2013. He went to the Colts, and that average dropped to 2.9 yards per carry. Richardson still totaled 563 rushing yards that season with 79 less carries than he had as a rookie.

Richardson again saw a drop in carries (39 less) and still averaged 3.3 yards per attempt. He finished with 519 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in an offense involving Andrew Luck and some pretty talented pass catchers.

Now, as a No. 3 overall pick, he is still expected to put up big-time numbers. But not all of the blame can be put on him. That’s the point.

He’s still only 25-years-old and might be able to help a team in some capacity. Running backs have a shorter shelf life than the other positions, but with his workload having decreased each year, there isn’t as much fatigue in his legs as other running backs his age.

As of now, he has indirectly become a bust. Though he still has time to make his career meaningful.

Next: Joe Washington

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