5 free agents Vikings can sign to replace Adrian Peterson
By John Buhler
1. Karlos Williams
If Peterson is out for a while, would it make sense for the Vikings to take a flyer on former Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams? Absolutely. Though he is currently serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Williams is the only bell-cow back available on the waiver wire.
Minnesota is more than capable of treading water with Asiata and McKinnon the next two weeks before Williams can return. Keep in mind that Williams is leaving a very odd situation in Buffalo. He was cut by the Bills for being overweight. This is the same NFL franchise that saw its head coach Rex Ryan remove his lap band to gain weight to help support his twin brother, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, lose weight.
Williams has tremendous football talent. By getting out of Buffalo in his early 20s, he has a chance to be a great football player if he lands with the right team. In 11 games for the 2015 Bills, Williams rushed for 517 yards and seven touchdowns, splitting carries with LeSean McCoy.
Signing Williams could be another gamble that could pay off for the Vikings like the Bradford trade seems to. Minnesota will have two weeks to get Williams into football shape. He’ll be running angry all season after being cut by the dysfunctional Bills after his rookie season in 2015.
Next: Every NFL Team's Best Draft Pick Of All Time
Williams will enter the second quarter of the 2016 NFL season with fresh legs. He might be the only player on the waiver wire that can display Peterson’s level of dynamism in the backfield. Let’s hope that Williams is ready to play some football in 2016. The Vikings might need him.