The Raiders are taking a flier on a once-highly regarded running back prospect.
Oakland will sign ex-Colts running back Trent Richardson, Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area reported Tuesday.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 draft, the 24-year-old Richardson hasn’t often flashed the skill that made him a star at Alabama. In three NFL seasons, Richardson has averaged a paltry 3.3 yards per carry, racking up 2,032 yards and 17 touchdowns on 614 carries. His two-season tenure in Indianapolis ended with Richardson deactivated for the club’s final two postseason games.
Richardson’s NFL career began with Cleveland, and he was selected in Mike Holmgren’s last draft as the club’s president. Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie worked with Holmgren in Green Bay, which could have allowed McKenzie to get some insight into the running back before making the deal.
Richardson joins a Raiders club in need of backfield depth, and if he recaptures his best form, he could contend for work. However, anything less than his best could leave him vulnerable. He clearly has entered the prove-it portion of his NFL career.
UPDATE 1:05 p.m. ET: The Raiders have announced the signing.
