With Jamal Lewis now in Cleveland, many fantasy owners are wonder if RB Adrian Peterson is still likely to land with the Browns. Or, will a team like Houston trade up to snag the soon-to-be elite fantasy rusher?
Our guess is that Peterson does land with a team like Houston (via trading up). While Cleveland would be smart to grab the top rookie runner in this year’s 2007 NFL Draft, rumor has it that OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin) is nearly at the top of their draftboard. The Jamal Lewis signing just makes us think that they will want to improve their offensive line with that #3 pick and then draft a rookie runner in the 2nd or 3rd round, like Michael Bush (Louisville), Chris Henry (Arizona), Tony Hunt (Penn St.) or even Kenny Irons (Auburn). If the Browns release Reuben Droughns, you know they are opening the door to drafting a rookie, but we still don’t think it will be with that #3 overall pick.
So how good will Adrian Peterson be?
Well, obviously a lot of Adrian Peterson’s immediate success will depend on where he lands, but anyone taking Peterson is going to start him. You don’t pay the kind of money that he will command to only have him come off the bench. He also isn’t a player that can greatly impact your offense by playing a situational-type role, like Reggie Bush in New Orleans. Peterson is a beast and he needs the rock at least 20 times a game. Peterson is no small back. He is 6-2, 218lbs and runs a 4.38 forty. If you question his ability or NFL-upside, go get a check-up from the neck up.
Yea, we’ve heard all the injury concerns that everyone has, but his injuries have been a broken collarbone, injured shoulder and injured ankle, none of which suggest he is a walking-injury. For a guy tagged as an injury risk, we sure find it funny that in Peterson’s three seasons at Oklahoma, he has never rushed for under 1,000 yards or had less than 13 total TDs. Oh, and he has averaged over 5.0 yards per carry in each of his three seasons at Oklahoma.
So, back to the question: how good can he be? Well, again, we do not believe the rookie will land in Cleveland, we think Houston will ultimately trade up to grab him. Even if he did land in Cleveland, his future is still just as bright and his 2007-result will still be outstanding. He will be drafted to start and paid to start… don’t think for a second that he will be brought in to play that situational-type role, because he wont. So as for the 2007 season, I think Peterson will have well over 1,000 yards rushing and I believe he will reach double-digit touchdowns. As for the 2008 season and beyond, I will just say this… I think Peterson will be taken in the top 8-12 in 2008 redraft leagues. He is going to be a fantasy machine.
