Poll: Where Will Sheldon Richardson Play Next Season?

Sheldon Richardson‘s name has been included in rumors since last season’s trade deadline, but the Jets have been unable to find a suitable deal. We learned yesterday that the organization had shopped the defensive end to the Buccaneers, Colts, and Seahawks, and previous reports indicated that the Broncos and Cowboys had expressed interest. However, reports continually suggest that the Jets won’t simply give Richardson away. As a result, it’s uncertain if Richardson will be playing in New York or elsewhere in 2017.

The former first-rounder’s best campaign arguably came during his 2013 rookie season, when the Defensive Rookie of the Year compiled 78 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Following an eight-sack 2014 campaign, Richardson’s production has dropped in recent years, including a 2016 season where he only compiled 1.5 sacks. Given his previous suspensions, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that trade interest has been lukewarm.

Further clouding a Richardson acquisition is his contract situation. The defender is set to make $8.069MM next season after the Jets previously picked up his fifth-year option. Following the 2017 campaign, Richardson will be a free agent, meaning any trade for the lineman could end up just being a rental.

The Colts could certainly use Richardson on their defensive line, as the 26-year-old could surely provide an upgrade over Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson. The Buccaneers’ defensive end depth chart is rather crowded behind starters Robert Ayers and William Gholston, and it’s unlikely that Richardson could displace Michael Bennett or Cliff Avril in Seattle.

The Broncos, meanwhile, added defensive end DeMarcus Walker in the draft, as well as Kasim Edebali and Bobby Richardson via free agency, so it’s unlikely that they still have interest in Richardson. The same goes for the Cowboys, especially after they selected Taco Charlton in the first-round.

If Richardson wants to continue playing defensive end, he seemingly doesn’t even have a fit in New York. Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams are slotted in as the Jets starting defensive ends, forcing Richardson to linebacker.

There don’t really seem to be any logical suitors for Richardson, although the Jets are clearly motivated to move him. That leads to our question: where will Richardson be playing in 2017? If your choice isn’t included in the poll, mention it in the comments below!