Factoid
Big plays. That’s what you potentially get with Adrian Peterson.
He’s more of an injury risk than the other top running backs, he probably won’t catch a lot of passes, and he might not score as many 1-yard TDs as two other players on his own team – Chester Taylor and Tarvaris Jackson. (Peterson had only two rushing attempts inside the 5-yard line last year).
But Peterson is the NFL back most likely on any given Sunday to take off on a 70-yard touchdown gallop.
Last year, he ran for 224 yards at Chicago, and he ran for a league-record 296 yards against San Diego. In the history of the league, no other rookie running back has gone over the 200-yard mark twice. In fact, only 10 other rookies have even done it once.
And that’s what makes Adrian Peterson an interesting possibility with the No. 1 overall pick in a fantasy league.
200 YARDS RUSHING BY A ROOKIE
In chronological order:
Year Team Name (Opp) Att-Yds-TD
1956 Rams Tom Wilson (vs. G.B.) 23-223-0
1957 Cle. Jim Brown (vs. L.A.) 31-237-4
1978 Buf. Terry Miller (vs. NYG) 21-208-2
1978 Dal. Tony Dorsett (vs. Phil.) 23-206-2
1983 Sea. Curt Warner (vs. K.C.) 32-207-3
1984 Buf. Greg Bell (vs. Dall.) 27-206-1
1987 Rai. Bo Jackson (at Sea.) 18-221-2
1993 Rams Jerome Bettis (vs. N.O.) 28-212-1
1997 Cin. Corey Dillon (vs. Tenn.) 39-246-4
2000 Den. Mike Anderson (at N.O.) 37-251-4
2002 Den. Clinton Portis (vs. Ariz). 24-228-2
2007 Min. Adrian Peterson (vs. S.D.) 30-296-3
2007 Min. Adrian Peterson (at Chi.) 20-224-3
—Ian Allan
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Posted by David Allen | Jun. 11 at 08:36 AM
Without having the 08' Fantasy Index cheat sheets yet (I hope AP isn't on the cover!!!!).......is he worthy of #1 pick in a TD only league? 2 touches inside the 5? Yikes, thats scary.
Posted by IAN ALLAN | Jun. 11 at 10:28 AM
He's a special player, so he has the potential to wind up being the No. 1 overall guy. But I would not take him that high. I don't think I'd even take him No. 2 overall. I may regret it, of course, but that's the way I'm leaning right now. (And we've got Tom Brady on the cover this year).
Posted by David Allen | Jun. 11 at 05:01 PM
(And we've got Tom Brady on the cover this year). Oh, praise the FFI Cover curse!!!! Thanks Ian.
Posted by Eugene Hitt | Jun. 12 at 06:03 PM
Adrian Peterson is a beast, but there with the boom potential also comes the injury bust potential. If i pick second in any of my leagues Im taking Stephen Jackson,{provided LT isn't available}. When was the last time someone with his talent didn't produce in a contract year? He'll be the highest paid RB in the league,{and candidate for the #1 pick in fantasy leagues} next year after he tears it up in 08.