New York Jets’ Tony Richardson Warns ‘Utter Chaos’ Could Await NFL Draft

Richardson, 39, spoke yesterday at a discussion hosted by the Manhattan-based New York Law School. He said the draft could coincide with the official start of the offseason, with roughly 500 players set to become free agents, creating a hectic atmosphere at Radio City Music Hall.

The 16-year NFL fullback’s comments came one day after U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson ruled the league must end its month-old lockout of players. The NFL is seeking a stay to put Nelson’s ruling on hold and delay the start of the offseason while it contests the decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals.

“If the lockout is lifted and the stay isn’t granted, it could be utter chaos,” said Richardson, a member of the National Football League Players Association's Board of Directors. “If I am a general manager or a head coach and I have to deal with trying to draft players at the same time as a lot of movement in free agency and trades, it could get pretty ugly.”

Richardson went undrafted out of college and broke into the league following a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys. If the league is granted a stay, the lockout will make it harder for this year’s undrafted players to follow his path by working their way onto a team, he said.