re: Trent Richardson: why do they hype rooks?

Likely take him that high because he's a true workhorse back and those are few and far between. You draft him based on volume and immense talent upside. No one is guaranteeing greatness, but if he can get 275 carries and 30-40 catches who cares if he average 3.5 yards per carry? assuming he averages 7-8 yards per catch, that's 1,300+ yards and if he can throw in TDs he'll be worth it. a mediocre 4.0 yards per carry would put him close to 1,500 based on those volume #s, and it's not a far stretch to think he can average 4 ypc

Remember Hillis was also a beast 2 years ago before he shat the bed with injuries / general unproductivity last year