The Oakland Raiders have released running back Trent Richardson, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN. Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, will be a free agent looking to sign with his fourth team.
Trent Richardson, once a No. 3 draft pick, released by Raiders
Richardson’s disappointing career has reached its lowest point.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Raiders officially announced the release Tuesday ahead of the 75-man roster cut deadline.
The Cleveland Browns drafted Richardson with plans to build an offense around the running back, but with all the turnover in the front office and the new ownership, Richardson didn't fit well with the new coaching staff. The Browns convinced the Indianapolis Colts that Richardson, who put up 950 yards and 11 touchdowns with a per-carry average of 3.6 yards in his rookie season, was worth a first-round pick in trade and a deal was made.
With the Colts, Richardson regressed, and he regressed fast. Rather than provide a dynamic running back alongside franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, Richardson showed a complete lack of burst and vision with the football and finished 2013 with 458 yards and a 2.9 yards per carry average in a Colts uniform. He put up just 519 yards with a 3.3 yards per carry average in 15 games played last season.
Indianapolis waived him in March and the Raiders, who needed help at the running back position, signed Richardson to a two-year, $3.9 million contract that included $600,000 guaranteed. You’d think a player like that would make it past the first roster cuts, but Richardson’s tenure with the Raiders was ... less than inspiring.
Richardson, 25, was once considered a sure thing for a team with a power-running scheme, but he's far, far removed from that at this stage. Oakland will go with Latavius Murray as the starting running back this season, after he impressed the coaches in training camp and the preseason.
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