NFL Rumors: RB Adrian Peterson Open to Cowboys Move
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was reinstated to the NFL after the situation he put himself in last year that resulted in almost a year-long suspension with pay, and the NFL is getting back one of its best players.
Apparently, however, he’s not too thrilled about playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
Adrian Peterson hinting he'd like to play for the Dallas Cowboys -- "It would be nice" » http://t.co/haOs2dg4m6 pic.twitter.com/aGbnIBD8We
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 29, 2015
For Peterson to get out of Minnesota, it’s likely going to take the Cowboys overpaying for his services, both financially and in terms of draft picks. The Vikings, who paid all of Peterson’s 2014 salary without him hardly playing at all, didn’t make that investment to just trade him for nothing.
I could still see a deal getting done, especially if the Cowboys blow the Vikings away by offering possibly a first rounder this year and maybe a 2nd rounder next year or something like that, but even that price seems to steep for the Cowboys to pay.
Keep in mind, this is one of the deepest running back drafts in recent memory, and Peterson is 30 years old with a major knee surgery in his recent history.
He came back from that injury stronger and better than ever, but once running backs hit the age of 30, it’s usually all downhill. For Peterson, a special talent like this league hasn’t seen in some time, that might not be true. He could have three or four really good years left in him.
Are the Cowboys willing to pay the price required to go and get him?
If any team is willing, it would seem the Cowboys are a logical fit, but like I said before, paying a first round pick for a running back that isn’t a prospect in this year’s draft is something I don’t know if any team would be willing to do.
I’ve been openly pessimistic that the Vikings would be able to keep Peterson after this whole fiasco, but it seems more likely now than ever that he’ll be wearing purple in 2015. Vikings GM Rick Spielman shot down any trade rumors at his pre-draft presser, so it will take a big offer to get AP off of his hands, especially with a young QB that needs a good ground game to fall back on.