New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said last week that the team was "open" to the idea of trading its first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the 16th overall selection. Might the Jets actually be willing to trade a whole lot more than that for Trent Richardson, the Alabama running back?

ESPN is reporting that Richardson is the No. 1 player on the Jets draft board, and that the Jets have contacted Richardson. That, of course, is fueling speculation that the Jets are interesting in trading up — probably into the top five — in order to select Richardson.

ESPN referred to the move as a "long shot."

Richardson is expected to go either fourth to the Cleveland Browns or fifth overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Jets’ No. 1 running back is Shonn Greene. They have, however, expressed a desire to return to running the football more and do need to replace LaDainian Tomlinson.

— See Gang Green Nation for more Jets discussion and analysis

Trent Richardson 2012 NFL Draft Profile (via sbnnfl)