Cleveland Browns Trade Up to No. 3, Draft RB Trent Richardson
The Cleveland Browns were the first to make big noise on the first night of the 2012 NFL Draft, trading their fourth overall pick and
three additional selections to the Minnesota Vikings for the third overall pick. The Browns gave up selections in the fourth (No. 118 overall), fifth, and seventh rounds in order to secure the pick.
With that third pick, the Browns selected running back Trent Richardson, widely regarded as the best non-quarterback prospect in the draft.
The selection also gives the Browns an offensive playmaker that they so badly needed. With the departure of Peyton Hillis, the Browns were left with Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson as the main running backs left on the depth chart. Richardson immediately upgrades the position and gives quarterback Colt McCoy (assuming he’s the starter) a major weapon.