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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Cleveland Takes Trent Richardson In SB Nation Draft

Ever since the Washington Redskins traded up to guarantee themselves Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick, the Cleveland Browns have been wide open in their fourth overall pick. Ryan Tannehill has been brought up as an option, but he's kind of in a strange spot where a lot of people consider him a reach up that high in the draft. It might come down to how desperate Cleveland is to have a QB other than Colt McCoy.

If they feel like keeping McCoy around for another year or two, they can go a different offensive route like the new SB Nation 2012 NFL Mock Draft suggests. Alabama running back Trent Richardson is the name they go with.

Ryan Tannehill has become the popular pick here. People assume that Cleveland will address its quarterback need after failing to in the offseason and then sniveling about Washington getting preferential treatment. I am less convinced. Richardson gives them some offensive talent to stand by Colt McCoy for one more season, after which they will probably have first dibs on Matt Barkley.

With Peyton Hillis off the team now, a new running back prospect makes sense. Richardson has enough talent to jump start a Browns offense that was pretty awful last season. Perhaps a strong running game will also be the big boost that McCoy needs to look like an NFL starting QB.

For more on the Cleveland Browns, check out Dawgs By Nature. If you want more on the 2012 NFL Draft, check out the SB Nation 2012 NFL Draft hub.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.