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This offseason, the Oakland Raiders went after free agent running back DeMarco Murray and failed. Now, they should turn their attention to trading for Adrian Peterson following his reinstatement with the Minnesota Vikings.
Since Peterson was suspended for all but one game of the 2014 NFL season for hitting his son with a “switch,” the All-Pro running back has been finding reasons to want out of Minnesota. Between claims the team didn’t support him during his suspension and his agent getting hostile with team officials, it appears Peterson is set on ending his time with the Vikings.
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The team has made it clear they want to keep Peterson for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be willing to make a trade if the right offer came across GM Rick Spielman’s desk. That’s why the Raiders, a team one GM told Bleacher Reports’ Mike Freeman is “right there” in the mix, need to put together a trade offer for Peterson.
There are a number of reasons why Peterson to the Raiders makes sense.
First, they have more than enough salary cap space to handle his hefty contract. Peterson is due $12.75 million in 2015, which is likely more than the Vikings are willing to spend. The Raiders, however, still have a plethora of cap space after failing to lure in top free agents, and have a need to spend. Peterson would fit perfectly into their current salary situation.
Secondly, the Raiders have already expressed interest in adding an elite running back, which makes Peterson a logical option in Oakland. Their pursuit of Murray fell flat, but bringing Peterson aboard would give them a similarly lethal weapon to work with.
No one is sure whether or not third-year runner Latavius Murray is ready to be the workhorse, and adding Peterson would allow him to thrive in a change-of-pace role.
Finally, they simply can’t continue to sit on their hands and watch the rest of the league improve while they wade in mediocrity. For years, the Raiders have watched their roster deteriorate, making poor personnel moves and struggling to put together productive draft classes. The 2014 NFL Draft was a step in the right direction, but they need a few more key players to turn this team around.
Obviously, Peterson would be a huge key player.
It’s unlikely considering how timid GM Reggie McKenzie is, especially with his “build through the draft” mentality. However, if it becomes a legitimate option at some point, the Raiders would be very wise to pursue a trade for Peterson.
Calvin Cress is an Oakland Raiders writer for RantSports. Make sure to follow him on Twitter for more Raiders news and commentary.
