Vikings 2007 #1 Pick Adrian Peterson

Oklahoma junior RB Adrian Peterson just may be the most talented back ever to wear a Vikings jersey. He is a beautiful combination of speed, power, passion, vision, balance and explosiveness. He was the most talented player in the draft. If not for questions of his durability, I believe he would have been the consensus pick at #1. I expect him to immediately wow the Minnesota faithful and continue to do so for several exciting seasons.

Peterson is a jewel, but hardly a diamond in the rough. He set the NCAA freshman season rushing record in 2004 with 1,925 yards. A 5.7 yard per carry average as a true freshman! He finished 2nd in Heisman Trophy balloting that first year. He has averaged at least 5 yards per carry in each of his three collegiate seasons, with 41 TD's on the ground.

Durability has been the big issue with Peterson. He had to wear a protective shoulder brace due to injury during part of his incredible freshman year. He sat out one game and parts of three others with a high ankle sprain as a sophomore. Last year a broken collarbone cost him the final six regular season games. He returned at less than 100% against Boise State, picking up 77 yards rushing and scoring twice.

While he has been injured each season, he has also played injured each season. There is no denying his extreme competitiveness. Peterson has often been described as being an "angry" runner. He is more than a punishing back. He hits to destroy the defense. He is very hard to take down from the top. He is best stopped by ankle tackles. Head-on, Peterson dishes out more than he receives. He is literally an "impact" runner. His hard hitting ways come at a cost, but three injuries in 771 touches doesn't exactly signal fragility. The impact of his hitting on the opposition also has to be factored in. Being paired with Chester Taylor in the Vikings backfield will provide both players with breaks to keep them running at full speed. This should keep them fresh and alert, cutting down on injuries. The combo should be a nightmare for defensive fronts.

Peterson has shown signs that he can be a good receiver out of the backfield. The man is
deadly one-on-one. He has good speed, explosiveness, and some incredible moves. I spent some time comparing Peterson with Reggie Bush on YouTube highlights. From high school through college, both players have dominated the competition. While Bush is a more exciting player, the difference isn't as great as you might think. Peterson is very agile and fluid. The biggest difference is how they attack the middle. Peterson wins hands down. He has rare power. He can get lost in a mob of 10 players and suddenly break out of the pile in complete control. He gains most of his yards after first contact. If he ever becomes a reliable receiver, I believe he will be the best back taken since Emmitt Smith in 1990.

RUSH REC
YEAR G Rush Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
2004 13 339 1925 5.7 15 5 12 2.4 0
2005 11 220 1108 5.0 14 9 50 5.6 0
2006 7 188 1012 5.4 12 10 136 13.6 1
Career 31 747 4045 5.4 41 24 198 6.1 1