I would have published this Trent Richardson fantasy football impact piece sooner, but it took a forklift to remove my jaw from the floor. As a native Clevelander, and fan of the franchise (did I just throw up in my mouth?), the hits just keep coming as 1964 (the last time Cleveland won a football title) and 1948 (the last time the Cleveland Indians won a World Series) continue to slap us in the face.
OK, no more cheese. No more wine. Vent over.
How does Trent Richardson traded to the Indianapolis Colts impact your fantasy football roster moving forward?
Well, within an offense that boasts a better quarterback in Andrew Luck and better receivers in Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, I'd say Richardson's 2013 value receives a slight boost. He was already considered a Top 12 fantasy football player with the Browns during fantasy draft season. However, he was expected to be the main cog in the Browns' offense. Now, he becomes part of a much larger puzzle. Richardson should receive plenty of goal line touches considering Andrew Luck led the team in rushing touchdowns last season with five and Vick Ballard was recently placed on injured reserve (knee). The Colts haven't had a running back rush 250-or-more times since 2007 (Addai). That's about to change.
A hobbled Ahmad Bradshaw didn't really get a chance to lead the rush attack after signing with the Colts in the offseason, but he's played this understudy role before with the New York Giants and Brandon Jacobs. Considering Richardson's health issues, Bradshaw could remain on rosters as a RB4/5 moving forward, but don't expect much production.
Donald Brown is the fantasy football Big Gulp of the group. Welp, see ya later.
Circling back to the receivers for just one second. Think about what a reliable rush offense could mean for Reggie Wayne in PPR/standard leagues and T.Y. Hilton / Coby Fleener in standard leagues. Andrew Luck needed this type of balanced offense to take the next step in the NFL and in fantasy football production. The Colts' other weapons on offense receive a nice uptick in fantasy value with the move as well.
In Cleveland, Jay Glazer reports Willis McGahee will be signed by the Browns if he passes his physical. He should be added in all formats off the waiver wire. McGahee finished with over 700 rushing yards and 200 receiving yards in 10 games last season for the Broncos. You could flex him out in deeper leagues against the Vikings, but nine times out of 10, you aren't plugging him into the lineup on three days practice.
I'll be interested to see if Bobby Rainey gets any work this season as it's evident at 0-2 that the franchise is "playing dead for Ted {Bridgewater}". Adam Meyer receives full credit for the line.
Jordan Cameron and Josh Gordon should be busy men in the third and fourth quarters the rest of the season. Can you say garbage fantasy points?
Oh, Mr. Richardson! You get to face a ticked off 49ers rush defense this week in San Francisco. Best of luck.
Brian Hoyer. God speed.
After every trade, fantasy owners want to know how it will impact their team specifically. If you want 1-on-1 fantasy football therapy, hit me up on Twitter @FOXSportsFowler.
