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Adrian Peterson: 5 free agency destinations

By John Buhler

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) poses for a photo against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) poses for a photo against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes against the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts win 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions

NFC, North

Could a team in the same NFC North as the Vikings take a flier on Peterson? The likeliest candidate for that would be the Detroit Lions. The Green Bay Packers rarely delve into free agency and the Chicago Bears already have a promising young back in Jordan Howard.

Detroit looks to be a playoff contender again in 2016 with Green Bay. The Lions have a star at quarterback in Matthew Stafford and a really solid coaching staff. Jim Caldwell has his limitations as a head coach, but his two coordinators in Teryl Austin and Jim Bob Cooter look to be potential head coaching candidates as soon as 2018.

What the Lions need more than anything is a playmaker or two on offense to help lessen the burden of Stafford trying to carry it. The Lions were dreadful at pounding rock, especially after Stafford broke his finger, forcing him to play entirely out of shotgun.

Peterson can still be a bruiser up the middle on dives and counters. He would still be able to play on turf nine times annually at Ford Field and once at US Bank Stadium. Peterson would be very familiar with the Lions’ division rivals, as they are the same teams he competed against for years with the Vikings. Peterson to the Lions makes Detroit better while simultaneously making Minnesota weaker.

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