Top 5 Potential Landing Spots for Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson was once the top running back in the NFL. In recent years, injuries and scandal have cost him large amounts of playing time. Now that he and the Vikings are parting ways, Peterson has a chance to recreate himself. Peterson has stated that money is not important to him. The following list is made up of the top five places that could offer Peterson what he wants, a chance to play a significant role in a championship run.
- The Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a pair of talented backs in Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon, but would they look to improve the position if they could? Neither of those backs has (forgive the pun) run away with the job. A healthy Peterson could give the Ravens just the jolt they need to push them to the top of the AFC North.
- The Green Bay Packers
If Brett Favre can wear purple, why can’t Adrian Peterson wear green? This move would be a low blow to Vikings fans, but would make a lot of sense for both Peterson and the Packers. The Packers struggled to find a running game last season after Eddie Lacy was injured. Now that Lacy has departed, Peterson would give the team a more north/south running than Ty Montgomery. The two could complement each other very well and given that Montgomery can line up at receiver, there should be plenty of snaps to go around.
- The Oakland Raiders
For an aging veteran with a checkered past, the two most obvious destinations are Oakland and Cincinnati. While I wouldn’t rule the Bengals out completely, the peaking Raiders would make more sense for Peterson. The Raiders looked poised to make a run at the Super Bowl last season before David Carr’s injury. Now that former Raider Latavius Murray has replaced Peterson in Minnesota, it would make perfect sense for Peterson to return the favor. The Raiders will need to continue to improve as competition gets fiercer and fiercer in the AFC. If Peterson can return to his old form, he could give them just what they need.
- The New York Giants
With the Giants moving away from Rashad Jennings, they are left with Paul Perkins and Bobby Rainey. Both are dual threat guys who have not been asked to carry the load for an NFL team before. Peterson would give the Giants a more established runner and take some heat off of Eli Manning and the passing game. How do you defend a team with Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard at receiver and Adrian Peterson in the backfield?
- The New England Patriots
This has to be an option Adrian Peterson thinks about every morning when he wakes up, particularly when he sees that Legarrette Blount remains unsigned. The Patriots have already signed Rex Burkhead who can run between the tackles, but does that mean they wouldn’t take Peterson for the right price? Perhaps the biggest issue is whether or not Peterson would be willing to be a part of a committee. His statements make you think otherwise, but would he be willing to yield time to James White, Dion Lewis, and Rex Burkhead for a shot at a ring?
Wait and See
The free agent running back market has been moving at a snail’s pace. That will likely change after the draft. This draft has a number of talented running backs and teams may be waiting to see if they can get one they like in the right spot before investing heavily in a free agent.
