4 worst trades in Indianapolis Colts history
2. Colts trade first-round pick for Trent Richardson
In 2013, the Colts traded a 2014 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for former third-overall pick Trent Richardson. Richardson would then be paired up with the 2013 first-overall pick Andrew Luck.
Ok... My mini heart attack about the Trent Richardson trade is now over.... GO @COLTS!!! #coltsnation
— Justin Bauerle (@justinbauerle) September 18, 2013
What a time to be young and excited for what should have propelled the Colts into being a Super Bowl contender for years.
Cleveland later sent that first-round pick to the Eagles, who selected LB Marcus Smith with the 26th-overall pick.
With recency bias, it’s clear how bad Richardson was in Indianapolis. He had a productive rookie season in Cleveland by rushing for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns on 267 carries. The next year, he played two games and ran for 105 yards on 31 carries.
Grigson made the trade for Richardson heading into week three of the 2013 season. He played in all 14 games and started in just eight. On his 157 carries that season with Indy, he only ran for 458 yards and three touchdowns.
The following season, he played in 15 games (started 12) and only ran for 519 yards. It took Richardson two seasons to reach his rookie numbers. Indianapolis later cut him and he never played in the NFL during the regular season again.