Source: Despite #Vikings overtures, Adrian Peterson is adamant about wanting out of Minnesota. So he’s skipping OTAs. http://t.co/KLGwTnlb2g
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) May 25, 2015
While there are still a few whispers about Peterson playing for the Dallas Cowboys this season, it seems more than likely that he will remain a Viking. Even after we find out what uniform A.P. will be wearing next season, the question still remains of his current value. Is he still capable of producing top tier numbers and remaining an elite fantasy football running back, or will missing almost the entire 2014 season along with his off the field issues have a big impact on his 2015 campaign? Those are questions that only time can answer but I am going to side with the former.
A History of Success and Defeating the Odds
If you are looking for the ideal, talented and consistent running back, look no further than Peterson. Before the 2014 season, Peterson had rushed for at least 1,250 yards every year since entering the league aside from the 2011 season, where he rushed for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns before ending his season early due to an ACL injury. I think we all remember what he did in 2012 returning from the ACL injury, rushing for 2,097 yards and coming up just eight yards shy of the all time single-season rushing record held by Eric Dickerson. To put that into perspective, the monster year that DeMarco Murray just had in Dallas last season, was still 250+ rushing yards shy of what Peterson did in 2012. If you still need more convincing of just how consistent Mr. Peterson is, his YPC average has never dipped below 4.4, and he has rushed for double digit touchdowns every season. You can’t really ask for any more than that from your starting Fantasy Football running back.
2015 Fantasy Football
So where should you be drafting Adrian this season? I have seen his ADP (Average Draft Position) wavering from 1.03 to 1.05 depending on which site you are looking at. I think that the only reason Peterson is not being drafted first overall is the looming questions that are currently surrounding his situation. That being said, his situation should not worry you as much as you might think. If Peterson were somehow dealt to Dallas this season, he would only be joining one of the most dominant offensive lines in the NFL. And if he remains a Viking, which I believe he will, he will be running behind the same offensive line that he has his entire productive career. That is the same O-line that helped propel Adrian’s teammate plodder RB Matt Asiata to a nine- touchdown season last year where he finished as the 16th best fantasy RB in standard leagues and the 14th best in PPR.
Many fantasy owners and analysts alike were a bit down on Peterson coming into 2014 for the dip in production in 2013 from previous seasons. That being said, Peterson still managed to finish in the top 10 once again and that was on a three-win team that only gave him 13 or fewer rushing attempts in five of the 14 games he played that season. Much of that was due to the fact that Minnesota was always playing from behind. This season, that will not be the case. Teddy Bridgewater has emerged as a very competent quarterback that is ready to lead this team along with Peterson. Peterson’s fresh legs will compliment Bridgewater’s arm and the Vikings’ offense in more ways than we can name. The Vikings being able to stay competitive in more games and into the fourth quarter should give Peterson even more opportunities to produce Fantasy points.
So why is Peterson my first overall pick? Well, other than the fact that he is the most dominant force at RB in the last decade, he is the most consistent. Does drafting him still involve some risks? Yes, but every pick has risks and there are questions with just about every possible first overall pick this season. Le’Veon Bell’s suspension, Murray in Philly, LeSean McCoy in Buffalo, and it goes on and on. Others may see too much risk but in my eyes, Adrian remains one of the safest picks in Fantasy Football.
Related News: Source: Disgruntled running back Adrian Peterson won’t be at Vikings OTAs on Tuesday
Categories: 2015 Fantasy Football
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