5 teams that should trade for Adrian Peterson

3. Oakland Raiders

Somewhere out there is a cynic smirking at the idea of the Raiders picking up a player who has “character concerns.” Do not waste time thinking that this is merely a gimmick idea of linking the “Black Hole” with a talented running back who found himself in legal trouble last fall.

While the Raiders are not all that close to winning a Super Bowl — Oakland went 3-13 in 2014 — the club does have the makings for what could become a solid offense.

Rookie quarterback Derek Carr showed plenty of promise in his first year in the NFL, and the Raiders are expected to add talent at the wide receiver position either in free agency or via the NFL Draft. Oakland is also expected to have more cap space than the Browns next week, and that could play a part in Peterson deciding to head out west rather than to northeast Ohio.

There is one other thing that makes the Raiders pursuing Peterson through a trade with the Vikings an interesting notion, and it has to do with the club’s future beyond wins and loss records.

One of the worst kept secrets swirling about the NFL is that the Raiders want either a state-of-the-art stadium near where the team currently plays, or the franchise is going to look to move to Los Angeles, perhaps via a partnership with the San Diego Chargers. Oakland trading for Peterson would get the Raiders in the headlines for the right reasons, that deal would sell Raiders-related jerseys and other merchandise, and it would generate positive buzz for a franchise that is flirting with other cities.

Getting Peterson would be good business for the Raiders.

Next: Finally Giving Indianapolis A Running Back