Rams Release RB Daryl Richardson in Surprise Move
A week after drafting Tre Mason in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams made the surprising move of cutting running back Daryl Richardson. Analysts questioned how Mason would fit in with the Rams’ other four running backs, but of all their backs, Richardson was probably the last one expected to be cut, other than starter, Zac Stacy.
In fact, it was Isaiah Pead that had been the subject of draft day trade rumors. If any Rams running back was about to be released, it was going to be Pead.
It wasn’t Pead, though. Instead, it was the more impressive and more reliable Richardson. True, Richardson appeared to regress in 2013 as more of a lead back, but after excelling in a change of pace role in his rookie season in 2012, he at least looked to have some potential.
With Zac Stacy as the team’s lead back, Richardson was at worst expected to continue helping out in a third down and passing situation role – a role he impressed in as a rookie and totaled 38 receptions over his first two seasons.
The the Rams drafted Auburn’s Tre Mason. Being the superior talent and actually better suited for that role than Richardson even was, it only made sense that the Rams would move towards making sure Mason had a good chance at obtaining a major role as a rookie.
That inevitably meant someone had to go, whether it was going to be Pead, Richardson or Benny Cunningham. For whatever reason, the Rams ultimately decided Richardson was the guy that had to move on.
That pits Stacy as the lead back for 2014, with Mason and Pead fighting for a third down and passing situation role.
As for Richardson, he’s still just 24 and has shown enough potential in his first two seasons to land somewhere soon. He should compete for a change of pace role in someone’s backfield for the 2014 season.
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