Running back Adrian Peterson has rejoined the Minnesota Vikings after a lengthy public dispute. Aside from the impact he'll have on second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, fantasy football owners want to know what they should expect from Peterson in 2015.
Remember, Peterson missed all but one game last season. He's essentially been out of football for an entire year. The last time he played consistently was 2013 when he rushed for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 29 passes for 171 yards and one score in 14 games. The goal is to get Peterson more involved in the passing game this year, but ESPN fantasy expert Eric Karabell doesn't believe that will be enough to merit the No. 1 overall selection in fantasy drafts.
"Perhaps I'm a bit more cautious than most in pointing out that this remains a 30-year-old running back, and we know from many previous examples that at that age, decline tends to set in, or in worst case scenarios, hit hard," Karabell wrote. "Plus, it's not like this is so obvious that he should go No. 1 overall; Peterson finished as the No. 5 fantasy running back in terms of points per game in 2013 and finished sixth in 2011. In his career, he has finished first only once (2012). I'm certainly not ripping him, but pointing out that choosing someone else first isn't so ridiculous.
"Yes, Peterson didn't add any mileage to the proverbial tires last season, but hey, he's still 30, and it's not like he's been carefully used through the years. He's third among active running backs in rushing attempts, having already topped 2,000. Let's not glide over this when evaluating player performance. Running backs old and young get hurt all the time and see performance dips, often sans warning, which is why the position isn't held in the highest regard in the actual NFL draft, and while some can confidently say Peterson is simply special and different from all the rest, I can't overlook risk as well."
There is no denying that there is inherent risk in taking Peterson early in Round 1. But there is also considerable upside. Bridgewater, in his second season, should continue to develop and force defenses out of the box. The addition of Mike Wallace will further take attention away from Peterson.
But is AP worthy of being selected before fantasy's other top running backs? I say no due to the abundance of unknowns surrounding him. But mid first round? That sounds pretty good for Peterson.
