Coming off an injury plagued 2016 season in which he only had 72 rushing yards on 37 carries, the Minnesota Vikings released running back Adrian Peterson just days before NFL free agency began.
Peterson, who has spent his entire career with Vikings, had his $18 million 2017 option declined. With reality setting in that the AP era was over, Minnesota filled his spot by signing former Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray, leaving the 32-year old Peterson out on the free agent market to fend for himself.
In January, Peterson mentioned that he was interested in playing for the Houston Texans, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, it does not seem like those teams are not currently interested in Peterson’s services. The Giants signed running back Shaun Draughn, while the Buccaneers and Texans have their lead backs in Doug Martin and Lamar Miller.
With those teams not showing interest, here are three teams that could use Peterson’s services:
1. Green Bay Packers: It would not be far-fetched to see Peterson wearing green and yellow this upcoming season. The Packers did not bring back running back Eddie Lacy, who signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. With Lacy no longer in the fold, Green Bay’s lead running back is converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery. The Packers also have Don Jackson and recently re-signed Christine Michael on the roster as well.
Now do not get me wrong, Montgomery did an admirable job replacing the injured Lacy, carrying the ball 77 times for 457 yards and three touchdowns. But can Green Bay expect him to carry the full-time load this upcoming season? This is where Peterson comes into play.
Peterson could be a perfect complement to Montgomery, splitting carries with him and being a weapon on short yardage plays.
Green Bay could always draft a running back if they want to since this year’s class is deep. However, Peterson on a one-year deal could help stabilize the Packers’ running game as they try to make another run towards the Super Bowl.
2. Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals could be another option for Peterson as he would be playing for another possible contender in the NFC and backing up outstanding running back David Johnson. Unlike the Packers, where Peterson would be splitting carries with Montgomery. In Arizona, his role would be to spell Johnson as they try to keep him fresh.
Currently, the only other running backs on Arizona’s roster are Andre Ellington and Kerwynn Williams. However, the Cardinals are planning to use Ellington more as a wide receiver this upcoming season rather than a running back.
With that known and Williams being the only other running back behind Johnson, it is a good opportunity for Peterson. Although, just like the Packers, the Cardinals can draft a running back. But they have other needs to fill first, especially with the losses of Calais Campbell and Tony Jefferson on defense in free agency.
3. New England Patriots: It would not surprise anybody if Peterson signed with the Patriots because it would not be a huge risk for them to sign him and use a running back by committee model. We saw this model in full effect in 2016 as they played LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis, and James White.
When playing the Patriots, you never know which running back to game plan for as each presents a different problem. Although, opposing teams may be able to start game planning for New England’s running backs this upcoming season as they all are similar (Rex Burkhead, Lewis, White). It does not look like Blount is coming back as he is a free agent and there have not been any talks about him returning.
With New England losing its power back, enter Peterson.
Peterson would be the perfect replacement for Blount, as he would complement Burkhead, Lewis, and White. Just like Peterson, Blount is up there in age too, as he just turned 30-years old in December.
Would Peterson consider signing possibly a one-year deal with the defending champs, who are gunning for their sixth Super Bowl title? Yes, he would. If Blount can have 1,161 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns (16 in the red zone) last season, Peterson can do the same type of damage.
