Browns 2012 Draft - My pick for #4

If I were running the Cleveland Browns draft it would be a hands-down, slam-dunk, iron-clad, no brainer:  Take RB Trent Richardson.  I like Richardson a lot and here's why:  He is a complete back.  Power, shiftiness, speed, blocking, catching.  Yes, a running back has a short life span--all the more reason to take one when just coming out of college  Yes, it's a pass first league--despite that, Richardson is still pegged as a top 5 pick, with the next back likely not going until late first round at best.

Richardson will give the Browns an instant play-maker.  A weapon.  A threat to score every time he touches the ball.  When's the last time the Browns had a player fitting that description?  Richardson will take pressure off of Colt McCoy to make all the plays, and will open the passing game by making defenses respect the run.

My biggest nightmare is that some team that covets Richardson--Tampa Bay and St. Louis have been mentioned--trades ahead of the Browns to take him.  If that happens I would be disappointed, but then I think the Browns go with the next best offensive weapon on the board, WR Justin Blackmon.  I like Claiborne and Kalil, but the Browns need guys who can score points.  Someone defenses have to game plan for and account for on every play.  Richardson and Blackmon fit that description.  Why not Blackmon before Richardson?  Because this year's WR class is deep, so the Browns can still get a very good WR with the 22nd or 37th pick.  Take Richardson first, because the drop off to the next best RB is steep.  The Browns need to hit a homerun with this pick, and Richardson fits the bill.