As dynamic and intriguing as Adrian Peterson is, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely stay away from him should the Vikings decide to move on.
Adrian Peterson is a first ballot Hall of Famer. In fact, whoever presents his case could treat him the way Brett Favre was treated in that meeting room and they can simply stand up and say “Adrian Peterson” and it’ll be done. That doesn’t mean the Buccaneers need to – nor will they – pursue him.
Peterson mentioned the Bucs on First Take as a place he would like to play and it created a whirlwind of speculation and excitement among Bucs fans. I even said the Bucs should absolutely bring him in. Now, it seems they would be wise to steer clear.
The Vikings are likely going to release the stud running back to clear his salary from their books and Peterson still believes he is worth that $18-million dollar salary. No one is going to be willing to pay a 32 year old running back nearly $20-million dollars to come play for two, maybe three years. Especially with a draft as deep at running back as the 2017 draft is. It’s just not realistic.
On top of that, Peterson’s production has drastically slowed in the last few years as he’s missed more games than he’s played in two of the last three seasons. A running back over thirty with knee problems? Even if it is Adrian Peterson – yikes.
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The Bucs – having recently been linked to star wide receiver DeSean Jackson – can’t afford to drop the kind of money Peterson will command while still signing their own guys, filling other needs, and getting this team to the next level. Their most likely route to success is to address starters at receiver, defensive line, and safety via free agency while sprinkling in other depth moves when the new league year begins March 9. That leaves running back as the number one need come draft day.
The draft picture will become clearer after the first wave or two of free agency but speculation is already ramping up regarding the Bucs’ willingness to move up for Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. According to Gil Arcia of JoeBucsFan, the Bucs are already plotting out what it may take to get Cook come April. If running back is their sole glaring need at that point, they’ll be far more prepared to absorb any kind of hit it would take to give up picks to do so.
Whether it’s Cook or another back they feel will help this offense, the Buccaneers will see the value in drafting a player at that position rather than breaking the bank for Peterson. Locking a running back in for five years under the rookie wage scale is far more team friendly and affordable than signing the best running back of our generation at this stage in his career.
Next: DeSean Jackson And The Bucs Are A Nice Fit
As much fun as it would be to watch Peterson and Jameis Winston together, it would be a big mistake for a franchise on the cusp of competition when it comes to the long term.