15 Bold Predictions: No. 1: Adrian Peterson to dominate again

ByRyan Disdier|

With NFL 2015 right around the corner, it’s once again time for my Bold Predictions. That means I’ll be compiling “15” very interesting forecasts when it comes to the upcoming season. Of course, some of these statements may seem outlandish, but that’s because they will be far from boring. Here is the first installment of my 15-part series.

Adrian Peterson has dominated the NFL for his entire career. He entered the league after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh-overall pick. During his rookie year, Peterson rushed for 1,341 yards, set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

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However, the NFL was sans Peterson last year, as he missed the final 15 games because of a suspension. Peterson is set to return in the fall, and I expect him to pick up right where he left off – by destroying NFL defenses.

The reason I sound so sure is because we’ve seen a motivated Peterson return from missing time before. That was in the 2012 season when he came nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson‘s record for most rushing yards in a season.

The fact of the matter is that Peterson is still one of the best – in my opinion, he remains as the best – backs in the NFL. He has a lot to prove, and opposing defenses will feel his wrath.

It’s not like Peterson, 30, is going to slow down. Despite the fact that he’s older than guys like Le’Veon Bell, Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy, “All Day” is still in peak physical condition.

According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Peterson still is in great shape.

“He looks like he’s a little more lean. You can tell that he’s been doing a lot of workouts,” defensive tackle Tom Johnson, a teammate of Peterson’s, said to SiriusXMNFL Radio. “He looks like he’s been grinding the whole time (since last September), so he looks a little lean, still ripped up, but he’s always been that.”

Aside from a physical standpoint, though, Peterson is looking extra motivated.

Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

“He looks like he’s hungry,” Johnson said. “I can tell you that from the workouts that we’ve been going on. I think he has something to prove … I think he has a chip on his shoulder and he’s been taking it out on the weights.”

The bad news for the rest of the NFL outside of Minnesota is that come September, Peterson will have something else to take out his frustrations on.

A major reason I, along with many, missed Peterson in the league was because of the way he plays football. This dude has been an absolute beast since the first day he stepped on a field. He has the perfect combination of size, speed, power and ruthless aggression. He’s got vision and patience, too. He’s not just a one-trick pony.

He’s a modern-day Earl Campbell, although a bit more polarizing.

Peterson’s best ability, perhaps, is how he can strike when you least expect. Peterson can have rushes of 4, 6, 2, -1, 4 and then pop off a 65-yard touchdown. He’s takes his time and is cerebral.

Another reason why Peterson is primed for a huge, enormous, Vince Wilfork-sized bounce-back year is the fact that he’s no longer the lone piece on the Vikings offense.

Disregarding Brett Favre‘s final season, Peterson has never played on a team with a good, reliable quarterback. Entering his second year in the league, Teddy Bridgewater will take big steps.

The wide receiving corps now has Mike Wallace, who is the deep threat Norv Turner’s offense has lacked.

The defense also seems set, so Peterson will no longer have to rush through holes carrying the entire weight of the team on his shoulders.

One thing that must be taken into account is where Peterson will be playing. Minnesota is still his home for now, but things could change.

After neglecting to show for Vikings OTAs, it’s obvious Peterson wants out of Minnesota. Peterson likely wants to join a contender, considering the running back has never been to the Super Bowl.

The most likely team to make a move for Peterson would be the Dallas Cowboys.

According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, back in February, Peterson told the Vikings he wanted to play for Dallas.

Peterson’s interest in “America’s Team” isn’t new, either, as last August, Peterson told WFAA’s Mike Leslie — via Twitter — it “would be nice” to play for Dallas. It’s not likely, as Dallas doesn’t have all the cap space in the world, but it’s certainly not impossible.

If Dallas does end up procuring Peterson, it’s not crazy to think the 30 year old rushes for over 1,900 yards. The Cowboys boast one of, if not the, best offensive lines in the NFL. This a unit that helped spring DeMarco Murray for a league best 1,845 yards. Don’t count on Peterson in Dallas, though.

Perhaps the Vikings won’t budge, though, and Peterson will be forced to either play for the Vikings, or play for nobody. There is a chance Peterson does decide to play for nobody and retire, but I would be incredibly shocked if that’s the final decision he makes.

Regardless of where Peterson ends up playing, he’s going to dominate. He’ll make the Pro Bowl again, and he might even lead the league in rushing. He’s going to carry some controversy with him, but he’s also going to carry some defenders on his back as he reaches across the goal line.

Next: NFL: Power Ranking All 32 Quarterbacks

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