The New York Jets appeared to have struck gold with their 2013 First Round Pick (13th Overall) in Sheldon Richardson. The former Missouri Tiger won the Defensive Rookie of the Year, recorded 78 Tackles, and was even used occasionally at Fullback, where he rushed for two Touchdowns. Richardson did not have a sophomore jinx and was used more on the pass rush, with 8 Sacks and 21 Quarterback Hits. He went to his first Pro Bowl, but that would be it, as Richardson could not replicate those first two years again.
Richardson’s play did not fall off a cliff, but he was never again in the conversation as a potential top-tier defender. He played two more seasons with the Jets, then bounced around over the next five seasons with stops in Seattle, Minnesota (twice) and Cleveland. Richardson retired after the 2021 Season and had an even 500 Combined Tackles with 33.5 Sacks.
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