TRich's potential

[superman13732]

I've only been involved in dynasty for going on three years now, and since I'm just entering my second draft looking at rookies from a fantasy perspective I am having trouble gauging how good a rookie is going to be, compared to the hype surrounding them. So this question goes out to all of the veterans of dynasty who have seen prospects come and go and who can gauge the hype/actual potential meter. I have some mixed feelings on TRich. On the one hand I hear everyone comparing him to a young AP, and worshiping the ground he walks on. I'm having trouble with that comparison for a couple of reasons, first is the type of back they are. If I remember correctly, AP was not only a dominant physical specimen he also had some serious breakaway speed. As his career progressed he lost a little of the speed, or was limited by the defensive schemes geared against him, but he was able to adapt his game to adjust to the changes around him. He also had a dominant o-line in front of him when he entered the NFL. Does Richardson have that speed? I can see him becoming a MJD type of back, which is very good don't get me wrong, but getting to the AP level of dominance? I have a hard time seeing it.

Help me here, am I off base? If I am then why? And if im not, why not?

[skip]

I can see him becoming a MJD type of back, which is very good don't get me wrong, but getting to the AP level of dominance? I have a hard time seeing it.

I can't help but note how odd this statement is...can see him becoming MJD - who has equal/better stats than AP, but not becoming AP level dominance.

[Hawks Nest 12th Man]

Richardson is a unique talent. MJD comparison is a bit off considering Richardson is about 30 pounds heavier and 2 inches taller than MJD. A better comparison coming out of college would be Ricky Williams. Alot of these so called draft guru's all gave question marks to AP about his injury history. The only true knock you hear consistently on Richardson is he isn't AP... so what AP isn't LT and LT isn't Barry Sanders. My point as stated above Trent Richardson is a unique rb in his own right. Personally I would take him over any current rb in a dynasty league accept McCoy, Rice and Foster starting out.

Out of college Richardson vs AP
Richardson receiver +
Peterson game breaker +
Richardson ball security+
Blitz pickup+
Richardson injuries +
Richardson power +
Rest of their game you can pick or choose. These areas listed above are somewhat universal... I think : )

[Hawks Nest 12th Man]

I can see him becoming a MJD type of back, which is very good don't get me wrong, but getting to the AP level of dominance? I have a hard time seeing it.

I can't help but note how odd this statement is...can see him becoming MJD - who has equal/better stats than AP, but not becoming AP level dominance.

Won my 4th championship trading Maroney & Torrey Holt for MJD before his breakout. Guy is definately a stud in his own right. He is arguably better goalline back than AP , for sure better receiver and better at blitz pickup... ask Shawn Merriman ; )

[Rag3aholik]

From what I've noticed, since he started being called "the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson" people have started comparing him to Peterson. That's not the point. The point is that he's a transcendent talent, as AP was coming out. They are TOTALLY DIFFERENT players. Completely different styles of play. Just both are dominant. Count on T-Rich to be awesome, don't count on him to be like AP.

It's similar to the morons on NFL.com comparing Arian Foster to LaDanian Tomlinson during his breakout season. I mean, wtf?

Point being: T-Rich: Awesome. Peterson: Awesome. Totally different players.

[ekassor]

He reminds me more of Eric Dickerson than MJD

[tra151]

I dont think the comparisons between Peterson and Richardson are that far off. The biggest difference I see with them is probably height. Both are large powerful backs with alot of wiggle to make defenders miss. They are capable pass catchers and goalline guys. Peterson probably has a slight edge in breakaway speed, but I don't think Richardson will be getting caught from behind on a regular basis. The biggest knock on either one of these guys coming out was probably injury concerns for Peterson. Although of I remember correctly, ap's college injuries were all a bit flukey not chronic.

To more closely answer the topic. I think it would be foolish to say that trich doesn't have the potential to be rb1 from this season on ( provided he doesn't land in a time share, which doent look likely)

[Steelersfan]

I haven't been this excited about a RB since AP came out. Only time will tell if TRich can come close to having the kind of success that AP has had but I think he will...even if he lands on Skippers Browns.

[jhunter3]

Trent Richardson will be one of the greatest RBs to play the game.

[MilwaukeesBest]

I haven't been this excited about a RB since AP came out. Only time will tell if TRich can come close to having the kind of success that AP has had but I think he will...even if he lands on Skippers Browns.

Agreed. I see him as a shorter version of Steven Jackson. He's big and strong, can pass protect, can catch and isn't a 4.3 speed guy but has great balance and awareness that can still get him to the house.

[superman13732]

Awesome responses everyone. Like I said, I'm still going through the educational process here, so judging potential of college players is still a struggle for me. I've actually been negotiating with the owner of the 1.1 in my league, and it sounds like it's going to take the 1.3, 1.7, and Lynch to get it. Which I was hesitant about giving up, (Lynch, Luck, and Martin/Floyd type) but you guys are giving me plenty of reasons why it's worth it. I appreciate the input!

[BigB]

I agree that the AP comparisons are ridiculous, since it's his level as a RB prospect compared to AP, not his actual talent. I was initially not as high on TRich as others, but I spent the time researching him and I truly believe he's an immediate impact player. I can see him contributing from day one, and with his receiving skills, their West Coast offense, and their line I still see Cleveland as the best landing spot for him.

The big thing I liked was his off field stuff. Everything I've seen says he became more of a student of the game, no off field concerns, and he actually seems like a good guy(that ESPN story about taking the girl with cancer to the prom is just cool). He doesn't just seem like a top level prospect, but someone that can become the face of a franchise, and whoever drafts him is going to give him every chance to be a top level NFL back. For player comparisons I agree with SJax, just a little shorter. Same skill level, and could see a similar length of top level production from him as well.

[joekool]

Awesome responses everyone. Like I said, I'm still going through the educational process here, so judging potential of college players is still a struggle for me. I've actually been negotiating with the owner of the 1.1 in my league, and it sounds like it's going to take the 1.3, 1.7, and Lynch to get it. Which I was hesitant about giving up, (Lynch, Luck, and Martin/Floyd type) but you guys are giving me plenty of reasons why it's worth it. I appreciate the input!

1.3, 1.7 and Lynch for 1.1?

Seems a hefty price to me

[~ INVICTUS ~]

You're absolutely right to ask this question, as your instincts are correct. He's not nearly the "transcendent talent" he's being made out to be. He's already had his knee scoped which people are dismissing, ignoring. He ran behind the best O-line in the best conference in College Football, yet wasn't the best RB stat wise. He does lack the long speed, change of direction that top NFL RB's possess. He has excellent balance, and he's tough. If teams like the Browns or Bucs reach for him I'd be trading him or the pick if I owned him or it. Especially the Browns. Peyton Hillis had as great a year for ex. as a RB is gonna have. He was destroyed from it last year following it as the team still sucked. Is that what you want from your # 1 pick ? 1 -2 good years before he breaks down, which he will if used in that fashion on that bad team in that division.

[Jfever]

Ouch.

Is this how your really feel? If TRich went to Clev or TB and you had the 1.1 you'd trade the pick? Really?