Washington football training camp profiles: Running backs
By Ian Cummings
Adrian Peterson
Experience: 15th season
Draft Status: 2007 first-round pick, 7th overall
2019 Stats: 15 games (15 starts), 211 carries, 898 yards, five touchdowns, 17 receptions, 142 yards
2020 Outlook: Adrian Peterson enters the 2020 season as the alpha in Washington football’s running back room, although it’s tough to predict how long he’ll keep that role. Peterson’s experience should give him a leg up on most of the other options, but at 35 years old, he’s accumulated a massive amount of wear and tear to this point, and eventually, he’ll hit the cliff.
With that being said, as of Week 17 in 2019, Peterson was still a solid running threat, and although he doesn’t have the versatility that seems to be coveted in Scott Turner’s new offense, his high floor should provide some security in an uncertain position group.
Expected Role: While the Washington football team will undoubtedly shuffle through running backs often this year, I expect Peterson to once again get a significant amount of the team’s starts. Peterson may be taken off the field often on later downs, and Washington football may play with the hot hand more often, but Peterson should have a role in the team’s rotation as an early-down back who can convert in short-yardage situations.
Status: I’m not going to say that Peterson is a one-hundred percent roster lock, but he’s pretty close. The nixing of preseason only further entrenches Peterson as one of the more established options in the running back room, and his veteran presence will be valued by Ron Rivera, amidst a very young offensive cast.