The Cleveland Browns were clearly worried that a team below them might make a play for Alabama running back Trent Richardson. The team gave up a handful of late-round selections to the Minnesota Vikings as a preventative measure, moving up one spot to ensure that they could get their man.
With the bizarre, underwhelming departure of Peyton Hillis, this move makes sense for the Browns, who have a serious lack of playmakers on their offense. There was speculation that the team could be a player for Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, but how can you really evaluate Colt McCoy without surrounding him with adequate talent? Richardson will step in immediately behind a stout offensive line lead by left tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack. Expect him to become the bell cow for Cleveland — he's a three-down player who can do it all and should touch the ball 350-plus times in 2012.
Look for the Browns to address right tackle and wide receiver with another first-round pick (22) and an early second-rounder (36).