The Minnesota Vikings brass have been adamant in their desire to see All Pro running back Adrian Peterson return to the fold next season and beyond despite the rampant rumors and speculation - and the angry shouts of Peterson's agent Ben Dogra at the NFL rookie scouting combine - that the disgruntled ballcarrier is unhappy in Minnesota and no longer wants to remain a member of the Vikings franchise.
Would a first-round NFL draft choice - and possibly more - be enough to change the minds of Mike Zimmer, Rick Spielman and Zygi Wylf though?
Former NFL GM Mark Dominik believes the Vikings could potentially get a first-round pick - plus a whole lot more - for the future Hall of Famer, while CBS analyst Joel Corry is among a group that believes a second-round pick is the likeliest outcome of a potential deal.
"Dominik believes that Peterson, even at age 30, is worth a first-round pick and a pair of second-rounders, but he doubts a team would be willing to up the ante that high," writes Matt Vensel of The Minnesota Star Tribune. "Both Corry and former Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage said a second-round pick would be a more reasonable haul."
The looming 2015 NFL Draft seems like the likeliest opportunity for a Peterson trade to be consummated as team's expecting a running back to fall become desperate and willing to fork over more compensation than they're offering at present.
Peterson, even after missing nearly the entirety of the 2014 NFL season, has 2,054 carries, 10,190 yards and 86 rushing touchdowns to his name. While the year off may aid his career longevity, he's already put ample mileage on his body and is set to enter his ninth NFL season at age 30.
"Think about the forces at play here: You've got a 30-year-old running back, coming off a suspension, who would either need a team to take on his $12.75 million salary or likely give him some guaranteed money in a restructured deal," writes ESPN's Ben Goessling. "On top of all that, he's voiced concerns about returning to Minnesota, and his agent has said it's not in his "best interests" to continue his career there. If you're a team that wants to acquire him, would you line up with a blockbusting offer? Or would you wait the Vikings out, betting on a lower price if the team decides it can't keep Peterson?"
The notion of waiting could break both ways though - the Vikings, as stated above, could get increased value if a team targeting a certain back in the draft comes away disappointed - looking at you, Cowboys - while other NFL organizations could simply call Minnesota's bluff and wait it out, potentially taking Peterson off the Vikings hands at a reduced price once the reality of the situation finally becomes clear to Zimmer, Spielman and Wylf.
In the end, Peterson will remain a member of the Minnesota Vikings unless and until the team decides to trade him.
Still, if he's adamant that he won't play for them and is content to sit at home and collect the rest of the guaranteed money on his deal, it may be behoove the Vikings to get what value they can for him now and move forward from the entire ordeal as quickly as possible.
