If the St. Louis Rams select Alabama RB Trent Richardson with the sixth overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King believes the Rams would either trade or release their incumbent star RB, Steven Jackson.
Jackson is due $7 million in 2012, and King doesn’t see them paying him that sum of money to share the job with Richardson, who many believe has the talent to be a starting RB from the get-go in the NFL. On the contrary, King also believes that if Richardson and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon are both still on the board when St. Louis are on the clock, they will lean towards Blackmon.
Nothing is set in stone after the first two, possibly three, picks in the Draft. Cleveland, who are at No. 4, could definitely do with a back like Richardson, and Greg Schiano, head coach of Tampa Bay who are at No. 5, has made his admiration for Richardson public. I’d put my money on Trent not making it to No. 6.
Jackson had 260 carries for 1,145 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2011, along with 42 receptions for 333 yards and 1 touchdown.
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Release, hell. You trade for more picks. SJax has suffered from lack of supporting talent his entire career. He’d probably welcome a trade to a contending team. It’s unfortunate because he really is a good back. If he had any kind of O line, he’d be elite. The Rams have literally worked his career short by using him so heavy over the last few years. Draft Richardson, completely rebuild for the future, trade SJax and get younger. Surround Bradford with talent and this team can flourish.
Great points! Even if he’s not going to be their future, how can you release him at this point? There are plenty of players worse than him already on teams.
The real problem is that even though he’s probably a better option for a number of teams, they’re going to part with draft picks for an aging RB that’s been overworked in recent years. It’s really unfortunate for him considering just how good he has been.
Yes, poor timing all around for SJax, personally. The Rams have been bad for a decade. He has cosistently been one of the very few bright spots. It’s a shame the organization couldn’t surround him with better talent. It would have been nice to see what he could have done with legit help.
Everyone I talk to says I’m crazy, but I could see NE being players for SJax. They have an excellent cast of talent. He would not need to be overworked or leaned on as much as he has been in STL. He could be a real good fit with a high power offense. With the weapons NE has, defenses would have a fit trying to game plan against them.
Oh ya, I could see NE making a serious run at him on the open market and possibly even trading a late round pick much the same way they acquired Ochocinco, but it’s really up to the Rams to decide if that’s enough in return for. I think he still has value, but his contract could be deciding factor.