By: NateNote: This was an article I wrote for another different blog too. Enjoy!
I believe after Adrian Peterson's disastrous playoff game against the Seahawks (23 carries, 45 yards and 1 VERY critical fumble), a lot of Vikings fans can say that they're very fed up with Peterson's "me first, team second" luggage that he has brought along ever since coming back from his suspension campaign in 2014. Luckily, there are other NFL franchises (looking at you, Dallas Cowboys aka Jerruh World) who are probably willing to look past his "I don't like running out of the shotgun, so I won't" stubbornness that plagued the Vikings in 2015. Adrian Peterson's "2015 rushing title" (RB's that missed significant time this season include Jammal Cahrles, Le'Veon Bell, Matt Forte, LeSean McCoy, Chris Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, etc.) makes it look like he still has a lot left in the tank. But in reality, he doesn't. This was meant to be a quick write-up, so I'm not going to post a bunch of fancy stats toprove I'm right. But, if you take off the purple shades and use the old-fashion eyeball test, Peterson was stuffed way too many times at the line this season. He spent more time dancing around behind the line then he should for being "the best RB in the NFL" (which he isn't anymore). Peterson also really hurt Bridgewater's development this past season. Teddy was forced to play for Peterson's team. This (as we just witnessed this season) cannot be done in today's NFL with a 30 year-old RB. So what do I propose the Vikings do? Peterson fans are going to deny this all the way, but I really do think we could get a late 1st rounder or early 2nd rounder in the 2016 NFL Draft. And ask yourself, why couldn't we? You'd be getting a "superstar" RB that would sell tickets. He's the "rushing champion," so to some he may have some savvy left in him. And his contract is not an issue. At all. We redid his deal this past offseason and lowered his cap number to $11 million in 2016. With the salary cap expected to rise significantly, there would be plenty of teams willing to trade for him (plus, what a lot of us tend to forget is that a player more often than not redoes his deal once he arrives on another teams' roster). Also, getting rid of Peterson (and probably Mike Wallace) will allow us to open up more cap space and sprinkle the magic fairy dust know as "money" along the offensive line and other areas of need (Strong Safety, Wide Reciever, Outside Linebacker, etc.) in order to sign new players and create more depth at those positions to further improve the roster. So, let's just say for our purposes, we trade Peterson to the Dallas Cowboys for their 34th overall pick. With our two 2nd rounders we draft solid offensive linemen that our new o-line coach Tony Sparano can work with. As for the Vikings first round pick? "And with the 23rd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select... Ezekiel Elliott. RB, Ohio State." Pros: Great ball carrier, doesn't fumble, threat in the passing game, can pick up blitzes, can run efficiently out of the backfield OR the shotgun, is a TEAM player, and most importantly, CAN PASS BLOCK. (Basically, he's everything Adrian Peterson isn't). Has great size too: 6'0'' 225lbs. Cons: Isn't already on the Minnesota Vikings. Pro Comparison: Le'Veon Bell RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
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