From high first-round draft pick to a toss-up to even make the Raiders roster, Oakland running back Trent Richardson's NFL career has certainly not gone to plan. While Richardson still possesses the same ability that once made the league salivate over his potential as a powerful-but-nimble every-down running back, he's simply been unable to perform to a consistent level and keep his weight down. As such, it's not really surprising, but likely no less disappointing for Raider Nation, to hear that Richardson, per a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, has approximately a "50-50" chance of making Oakland's roster this season.
"The reality is (Richardson) has some very real competition, thanks to some newfound depth on this roster," Rapoport added. "He needs to do exactly what they ask on the field and off the field just to make this roster. ... It's possible at this point that Trent Richardson is the odd man out."
With the unproven-but-promising Latavius Murray slated for Running Back No. 1 duties and recent free agent addition Roy Helu looking very much like he'll be manning the third-down, pass-catching role in Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's scheme, Richardson was expected to slot in as the bruising change of pace back. To hear Rapoport tell it though, Richardson may struggle even to fend off the likes of Michael Dyer.
"I think Michael's done a nice job developing from what we saw in the spring to now," Oakland coach Jack Del Rio said, via ESPN. "He's more comfortable, he's more accountable, more dependable in special teams units and the offense. Every now and then he'll pop through there and show some of that speed that he has, so I think he's off to a nice start."
Dyer, an undrafted free agent out of Louisville, has already been standing out while Richardson has yet to even hit the field as he's been placed on the non-football illness list.
Dyer started his collegiate career at Auburn, but various issues caused him to bounce around and he wound up going undrafted this past April. While he doesn't possess Richardson's pedigree, it sounds like he's already impressing Raiders coaches. If Richardson can't get himself back onto the field soon, the competition between the two could be over before it ever really begins and Richardson could very well find himself on the street looking for yet another opportunity to rebuild his NFL reputation.
