In a detailed piece that laid out the 32 players most likely to get cut or traded in the NFL, ESPN nominated Adrian Peterson for Washington.
It’s a harsh world in the NFL. The Washington Redskins may have stated as such during the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft over the weekend.
With the selection of Memphis RB Antonio Gibson with the No. 66 pick, Washington added yet another running back to their stable, giving them six players in total on the depth chart. Gibson, however, brings a new set of skills that nobody else on the roster has — he can be a shifty runner who is highly-capable of catching passes out of the backfield and even lining up out wide at points.
So as we start to get into the offseason and eventually training camp, predictions on the final 53-man cut will be made, and the running back room gets dicey. Gibson is arguably the only clear-cut RB who is guaranteed a spot on the roster, while Guice should have a spot as well, should he stay healthy. But what about the others, and more notably, what about Adrian Peterson? In a piece that outlined a single player from each team who is most likely to be cut heading into the 2020 season, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell nominated AP as tribute.
Washington’s backfield is a crowded mess, with Peterson joined by Derrius Guice, Bryce Love, Peyton Barber, and third-round pick Antonio Gibson. The rookie is the only lock to make the active roster, but I don’t really see any reason for a rebuilding Washington team to stick with the 35-year-old Peterson.
Ownership seemed to keep Peterson on the roster last season, and he came in handy after Guice went down with an injury in Week 1, but new coach Ron Rivera should have enough personnel power to make tough decisions. Peterson could earn a reprieve if one of the backs ahead of him gets hurt, but the Barber signing seemed to point to Peterson’s eventual release.
The biggest argument for keeping AP around is loyalty, which doesn’t get you much in the NFL anymore. Peterson is a well-respected veteran who has been one of the better locker room guys over the past two years in Washington. He also has acted as the biggest safety net that the Redskins could ask for, stepping in and shouldering the load for an injured Derrius Guice in both of the last two seasons. During both of his stretches as the RB1 in Washington, AP proved that he still has what it takes, too, racking up 1,042 yards in 2018, and 898 yards in 2019. They may not think that they have a need for him now, but should anything go awry, it’s always nice to be able to lean on a time-tested veteran.
The harsh truth is that AP may, in fact, be on the way out in Washington, as he continues to age, and his contract is easily moveable. However, if you gave fans a vote, this would be one player who is absolutely untouchable, and I hope Ron Rivera knows that.
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