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Dallas Cowboys: Would Adrian Peterson Be An Upgrade?

By Daniel

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When the Dallas Cowboys lost their star running back DeMarco Murray to division rival Philadelphia Eagles it seemed as though their team would definitely take a step back at the running back position next fall. However, some people believe that the ‘Boys will make an offer to trade for Minnesota Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson. If Dallas somehow pulls off this blockbuster trade would the team actually be a better running team in 2015 than they were in 2014?

Despite the fact that Peterson doesn’t want to be back in Minnesota the Vikings do not seem interested in trading him. That said, cash talks and the next few weeks will be interesting to watch unfold.

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The Cowboys finished second in the NFL last season with 147.1 rushing yards per game with Murray in the backfield. Thus, it seems likely that they’d have a drop off in production in 2014, but could the team actually lead the league in rushing next year? In order to possibly do that they’d need a miracle; a miracle that stands 6’2″ and weighs 217 pounds (Peterson).

It was commonly accepted that the Cowboys simply didn’t have enough cap room to take on Peterson’s contract in a trade, but then Tony Romo, Dallas’ quarterback, restructured his contract.

Things just got interesting.

Maybe Dallas can afford to bring in Peterson after all as they could most likely now afford his $15.4 million cap hit. Although just bringing in Peterson doesn’t ensure that the ‘Boys will be a better running team overall. Murray is a dominant running back, perhaps the best in the league at the moment. He won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in 2014 and is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons.

Peterson has rushed for 1,000 yards six times in his eight year career and only injury and suspension has kept him from going eight for eight. Clearly both are dangerous backs that have put up some gaudy numbers, but a notable difference is their age and total carries.

Murray is 27 years old and has only been the featured back for two full NFL seasons whereas Peterson is 30 and has been a workhorse back every year in which he’s played. It stands to reason that Murray has five to six more years of his absolute prime in his tank. Peterson definitely has the ability to be elite in 2015 as he was the AP MVP in 2012 and should be fresh coming off of a season he spent off the field. However, he definitely doesn’t have the elite-caliber shelf live left that Murray has.

Peterson has amassed a whopping 2,054 rushing attempts in his career, but Murray has ran the ball just 934 times at the professional level.

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So… Would Peterson be an upgrade at running back for the Cowboys?

I’m going to have to say no.

For the 2015 season specifically, he could be, but I wouldn’t exactly count on it. Peterson does seem to have an ability to play on emotion and after sitting out the 2014 season he could be a man possessed next fall. Yet everything has to be kept in perspective.

Murray ran for 1,845 yards in 2014 and only once in Peterson’s career has he topped that mark. Not to mention, Murray scored 13 touchdowns and only once Peterson has surpassed that number in his career.

In the long run, I would say that Peterson is unequivocally not an upgrade at the running back position.

As previously mentioned, Murray has a great chunk of his prime left – some would say he’s just entering it. Peterson has been in the midst of his prime for quite some time and in the NFL running backs rarely continue stardom far into their 30s. However, I have to say that trading for Peterson would be a hell of a move. Especially because the Cowboys believe they are currently a contender and I wouldn’t disagree.

The next couple seasons could be this team’s last shot to win it all with Romo, 34, still playing at a great level. Peterson could certainly be a huge weapon for this team during that stretch, but I have to say that Murray would be just as big of a weapon, except younger and fresher.

Both are great running backs and both have the potential to put up huge seasons in 2015, but given their respective ages, carries, and potential for continued greatness I’d say Murray will have the more productive future in the NFL. Last year was no fluke for Murray and if he plays like that next year in Philadelphia, Peterson will definitely have a tough time dethroning him as the league’s most productive back.

First off, we have to find out where Peterson is going to play next fall. This is purely speculation, but my money says the Cowboys make the Vikings an offer they simply cannot refuse. If the ‘Boys don’t they’ll surely draft a running back high in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Either way, watching these two running backs perform throughout the 2015 season will be a treat.

Next: Why the Cowboys Must Pursue Adrian Peterson

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