NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Adrian Peterson Would Take Arizona Cardinals to Next Level

By Dan Schmelzer

facebooktwitterreddit

While they certainly still have some needs, the Arizona Cardinals have had a nice off season up until this point.

While his health is a concern, Sean Weatherspoon brings a ton of upside at inside linebacker, LaMarr Woodley helps their pass rush, Corey Peters and Cory Redding bring nice depth on the defensive front and an offensive lineman group led by run blocking ace Mike Iupati will certainly help the Cardinals become a better blocking team next season.

More from Arizona Cardinals

Finding another pass rusher, and possibly another inside linebacker option will be key for the Cardinals going forward, but an addition at running back to team with Andre Ellington is arguably the biggest need that the Cardinals have. According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Cardinals are swinging for the fences and targeting running back Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.

It has been reported multiple times throughout the off season that Peterson is not happy with the way the Vikings handled his legal situation last season. According to Robinson, “He’s still not happy.” Robinson also reported that, “If he goes on block, Cardinals will offer high draft pick.”

Now Peterson can be as unhappy with the Vikings as he would like, but he is under contract with the team through the 2017 season. If Minnesota does not wish to trade their 29-year-old running back, they don’t have to. To this point, the Vikings have seemed to prefer to keep Peterson. But if a team were to entice them in a trade, the Vikings could be willing to depart with their disgruntled star back.

Robinson reported earlier in the offseason that the Cardinals are one of five teams that Peterson wants to be traded to. Now, according to Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post, the Cardinals and Vikings are actually talking about a deal involving Peterson.

Putting the morality of the acquisition aside, Peterson would be a massive addition to the Cardinals on the field. Defensively, they were incredible last season. Their offensive passing game was extremely dangerous before massive quarterback injuries derailed their season.

The one part of the Cardinals’ attack that let them down throughout the year was the running game, as they ranked second-to-last with only 81.8 rushing yards per game. Ellington is a talented back, but he had durability issues last season that held the running game back. Bringing somebody in to help handle the load is a no-brainer, bringing a guy like Peterson in would be a slam dunk.

With the addition of Iupati, who is considered to be one of the best run blocking offensive lineman in the NFL, the Cardinals have already drastically improved their rushing attack for next season. Bringing in a future Hall of Fame player like Peterson at the running back position could take their running game from bad to elite very quickly.

Oct 8, 2014; Conroe, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (middle) walks to his car after his arraignment at the Montgomery county courthouse. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Giving up a second round pick to acquire Peterson may seem like a slam dunk, but there is certainly some baggage involved. First, his child abuse situation from last season certainly makes it a questionable decision from a morality standpoint.

Also, at 29-years-old, Peterson may not have any elite years left. Typically, running back productivity takes a steep decline once the back reaches the age of 30. Peterson is a freak athlete, and it would surprise no one if he bucks that trend, but it is certainly something to keep in mind.

According to Spotrac.com, Peterson has three-years remaining on his deal. He is owed $15.4 million in 2015, $15 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2017. While it appears that the Cardinals could get out of the contract after this season if they want, that is a lot of money to spend on an aging back, even one of the caliber of Peterson.

Aug 16, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver

Larry Fitzgerald

(11) pose for a picture after their game at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota Vikings win 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

While there is plenty of risk involved, this would be a move that would make the Cardinals legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Starting the year 9-1, the Cardinals were the best team in the NFL last season before massive injuries derailed their campaign. Adding a talent like Peterson to a roster that has seemingly only improved this off season would be a massive power move.

With Carson Palmer throwing the ball downfield to his array of dangerous wide receivers, Peterson would face less eight man fronts than he ever did in Minnesota. Peterson would also take a ton of pressure off of Palmer and the passing game, and would allow Ellington to take on a much smaller role to stay fresh and showcase his immense talent.

This is all going to come down to whether the Vikings decide to trade Peterson or not. If the Cardinals second round pick entices them to do so, the rest of the NFL better take note, because Arizona is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2015.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Arizona Cardinals