Sheldon Richardson

Sheldon Richardson

33-Year-Old Defensive TackleDT
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Sheldon Richardson in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKS
$Signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Vikings in June of 2021.
Disruptive in Thursday's win
DTMinnesota Vikings
December 10, 2021
Richardson totaled three solo tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and a pass defensed in Thursday's 36-28 win over the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
Richardson got consistent penetration into the Steelers' backfield, causing a handful of negative plays. The 31-year-old veteran isn't the same difference-maker he was when he first broke into the league with the Jets, but he's still a serviceable contributor. Richardson needs another half a sack to reach three for the seventh time in nine seasons.
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2023 Sheldon Richardson Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Sheldon Richardson's measurables compare to other defensive tackles?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"
 
Weight
294 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
5.02 sec
 
Vertical Jump
32.0 in
 
Broad Jump
116 in
 
Bench Press
30 reps
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Sheldon Richardson See More
2022 NFL Offseason Guide: NFC North
February 15, 2022
While all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers, the Vikings and Lions also face touch decisions on how to proceed with veteran QBs.
2021 NFL Team Previews: Minnesota Vikings
August 3, 2021
The Vikings boast one of the more balanced offenses in the league, and if the defense is as leaky as last season, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson and company could have plenty of chances to continue to cook.
2021 NFL Team Previews: Cleveland Browns
July 27, 2021
Paced by lead running back Nick Chubb and other name skill-position players, the Browns will aim for back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in 2021 since the team had five such berths from 1985-89.
Coaches and Coordinators: Tracking NFL Decision Makers
February 10, 2021
Brief histories on the head coaches and coordinators for all 32 teams, including the fantasy takeaways of their respective coaching ideologies.
NFL Game Previews: Divisional Matchups
January 15, 2021
Erik Siegrist previews the divisional playoffs as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers look to knock of the rival Saints in New Orleans.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Richardson became a pivotal piece toward the end of the 2019 season for the Browns, who lost Myles Garrett to suspension and Olivier Vernon to a knee injury. The defensive tackle moved to defensive end at times and finished with 62 tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles. The 29-year-old has two years remaining with guaranteed dollars throughout the life of the contract. With the uncertainty surrounding Vernon's knee and an $11 million cap hit if the Browns release him, RIchardson will likely return for 2020.
Richardson signed a three-year, $36 million with the Browns this offseason to join an already deep and talented defensive line. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Vikings, but tailed off as the year progressed, finishing with only one sack in his last five games. His strength lies primarily in stopping the run, however, which helped him record at least one tackle in every game of the 2018 campaign. He ultimately fell just shy of his fourth career 50-tackle season.
In an effort to up his free-agent value, Richardson passed on a multi-year contract with the Seahawks this offseason to sign a one-year deal with the Vikings. His hopes are likely to rack up the stats on a star-studded front that allows him not to be keyed on by opposing offensive lines. If everything goes according to plan, the former first-round pick could be set up for a bounce-back season in 2018, despite being three years removed from his dominant 2014 campaign that saw him finish with a 12th place IDP finish amongst all defensive linemen.
One of the NFL's most talented defensive linemen, Richardson's stock is in a flux due to character issues and the potential for limited playing time on a Jets team with two other elite defensive tackles (Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams). The ideal scenario for Richardson would probably be a trade to a team where he could have a three-down role, but even if he stays in a crowded rotation on a Jets team that doesn't want him, Richardson's talent is too great for him to not show up in the box score. He reliably hits 60 tackles with 750 snaps or more.
Richardson is a vital piece of the Jets' run defense, though some off-the-field issues could limit his upside this season, as he recently pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and various traffic violations, which could land him another suspension (he missed the first four games of last season too). Nevertheless, if he's able to get all 16 games in, he is certainly a solid option, though his position doesn't lend itself to a ton of tackles.
Still just 24, Richardson has already logged two elite IDP seasons. While his tackles declined slightly from his rookie year (78 to 67), he developed significantly as a pass rusher, increasing his sacks from 3.5 to eight. Richardson could play more under new coach Todd Bowles after averaging 51.4 snaps per game the last two years. (Calais Campbell averaged 56.2 per game in that span under Bowles' watch in Arizona.) And with fellow DE Muhammad Wilkerson on the opposite side, the 6-3, 294-pound Richardson will again have help collapsing the pocket.
Richardson has long been identified as one of football's most athletically-gifted defenders, even going back to his days as a high school recruit. The high expectations only grew taller once the Jets selected the Missouri product 13th overall in last year's draft, particularly since it meant he would receive coaching from Jets coach Rex Ryan, arguably the brightest defensive mind in the NFL. One year later, it looks like Richardson might have been the best player in his draft. He posted 3.5 sacks and 78 tackles as a rookie, playing a lead role in a Jets defense that allowed the fewest yards per carry in the league. That tackle number might go down, but Richardson should only improve as a pass rusher as he continues to develop his hand usage and play recognition. Fellow Jets end Muhammad Wilkerson is an elite pocket-collapsing threat on the opposite side, so the duo should continue to push tackle and sack opportunities toward each other. Richardson's IDP value gets a unique boost from the potential to play on offense. The Jets gave him four carries a year ago, two of which he turned into touchdowns.
Richardson is a rare athlete at tackle who should be an absolute menace on stunts. He'll play end for the Jets' 3-4 scheme, however, and his arrival could signal a move to nose tackle for Muhammad Wilkerson, who has the stoutest build of the Jets' big three on the line, that being Richardson, Wilkerson and Quinton Coples. Richardson had issues in run defense at Missouri and will need to learn how to transfer his explosiveness into anchoring at the point of attack rather than just pursuing wildly like he did at Missouri, but Rex Ryan is the exact coach you would want to mentor him.
More Fantasy News
One QB hurry Sunday
DTMinnesota Vikings
September 14, 2021
Richardson had one total tackle and one QB hurry in Sunday's overtime loss to the Bengals.
ANALYSIS
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Back with Vikings
DTMinnesota Vikings
June 15, 2021
The Vikings have signed Richardson to a one-year, $3.6 million deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
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Released by Cleveland
DTFree Agent
April 16, 2021
The Browns released Richardson on Friday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
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Finishes strong season
DTCleveland Browns
January 18, 2021
Richardson had three tackles and one pass defensed in Sunday's 22-17 playoff loss to the Chiefs.
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Ready to rock
DTCleveland Browns
January 10, 2021
Richardson (neck) is active for Sunday's wild-card game in Pittsburgh, Andrew Gribble of the Browns' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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