In theory, a rookie running back who is the centerpiece of an offense that has been one of the NFL’s worst in recent seasons should be a tough sell to fantasy owners.

But Trent Richardson is no ordinary rookie running back, and this is no normal year to be looking for RB help.

Richardson’s talent, coupled with the dearth of reliable RB options and the unyielding demand for fantasy points out of the tailback position, makes the former Alabama star a perfectly reasonable consideration late in Round One. Indeed, his average draft position in MockDraftCentral.com standard leagues was around ninth as of Aug. 3.

Once the Texans’ Arian Foster, the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy, the Ravens’ Ray Rice and the Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew come off the board, Richardson quickly becomes one of the top tailbacks available. Jones-Drew’s contract squabble could drive Richardson’s value even higher; some owners simply might pass on the prospect of a Jones-Drew who's potentially distracted, out of shape or unavailable altogether.

There’s reason to believe Richardson carries less risk than other rookie backs before him. For starters, he’s simply a special prospect. His PFW draft grade was the highest given to a running back since Adrian Peterson in 2007. Richardson was a standout for one of college football’s blue-chip programs, and he performed exceptionally in the Southeastern Conference, the nation's top league.