5 Reasons Adrian Peterson Doesn't Make Sense for Raiders

With reports of the Oakland Raiders interest in Adrian Peterson, here are five reasons it doesn’t make sense for the Raiders.

With the news of Adrian Peterson being reinstated by the league, trade rumors have once again began to pick up.

The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals continue to be the two most rumored destinations, but now a new team has entered the mix.

According to the NFL Network, if the Vikings do intend to trade Adrian Peterson, then the Oakland Raiders would have interest in trading for the star running back.

One of the biggest roadblocks to trading Peterson, is his contract. The Oakland Raiders have something both the Cardinals and Cowboys do not have, which is more than enough cap space to absorb his contract.

While the Raiders financially make sense to acquire Adrian Peterson, there are many reasons why they don’t.

1. They aren’t close to a Super Bowl

Shockingly, the Raiders had one of the best draft classes of 2014. The addition of a potential perennial All-Pro linebacker in Khalil Mack and a potential quarterback of the future in Derek Carr, has given new life to what was looking like a hapless franchise.

2. They would have to give up too much get him

It makes no sense for the Raiders to give up a first or second round pick for Adrian Peterson. The team is still building with the young pieces they got from last year’s draft and they need more to complement what they have.

Obviously, the Raiders wouldn’t give up the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft because that’s too high nor a first-round pick next year when it will still probably be a decent pick. A second-round pick also seems a little rich for the Raiders considering where the franchise is currently at.

Their second round pick is in the 30’s and is almost good enough for a late first. If they draft right, they can add another dynamic piece there as well. Is having a potentially dynamic piece for many years or Adrian Peterson for just a couple years worth it?

3. The pressure would be too intense

The NFL is already a performance based league. If you don’t perform, you’re either cut or fired.

The Raiders are in their first season under Jack Del Rio and his new staff and they have many exciting young pieces to work with and develop. Trading for Peterson, when the Raiders are still a ways off from contending, would bring far too many expectations to a young team trying to learn and grow.

All eyes would be on the Raiders, and as the young players make mistakes and grow, the heat lamp that’s already on them to succeed, would be even hotter as people would expect them to probably win more games than they’re capable at the moment of winning.

The Raiders need to continue the path they started last year with the additions of Mack and Carr as they add more talent this year. Just let the young guys grow and prosper without having the added pressure of having to succeed this year.

This isn’t to say the Raiders don’t win to win all their games, they do. Every team wants to win, but realistically being able to prosper naturally is better than trying to force it and setting the franchise back in the event of failure.

4. The 2015 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at the running back position

Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley and many others could potentially be franchise changing running backs for the organization they are drafted by. While the value of the running back position has dropped in the league, this year’s draft class offers some of the best talent any draft has ever had at the spot.

Why trade for Peterson when it’s not sure how much he has left in the tank? The Raiders with their picks could easily grab a talented back somewhere in the draft. As the draft has recently shown, good backs can be found almost anywhere throughout the rounds.

Last year the Raiders found their quarterback of the future in Derek Carr. They could give him a receiver at the No. 4 spot. What if they give him another weapon at the running back position with another pick?

Suddenly, the Raiders could have a young offense that fans could be excited about getting to watch grow together.

5. Oakland needs to avoid the media circus

For years, the Raiders have attracted a media circus for the wrong reasons. Whether it was the decisions of Al Davis, drafting a punter or signing ex-convicts, the Raiders are finally shedding the circus that used to follow them.

Wherever Adrian Peterson ends up, he’s going to have a massive following surrounding him and capturing every move. Does Oakland with a potentially young exciting team want the added media environment in their locker room?

Is it fair to their young players and future leaders that the team looks to, to add Peterson to the roster. That doesn’t mean that Peterson will be a terrible teammate, he won’t. He’s going to work harder than anyone and look to prove people wrong this season. However, it’s not fair to take away from the strides the team is making and looking to make by adding him to the roster.

The Raiders finally have a chance to have a talented young team. There is no need to try and speed up the process inorganically by trading for Adrian Peterson.

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5 Reasons Adrian Peterson Doesn’t Make Sense for Raiders

By Charles Rahrig V | Apr 17, 2015