NFL Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Adrian Peterson, Breshad Perriman, More

The real NFL action comes during the actual season, but don’t sell this period of the offseason short.

With the 2015 NFL draft quickly approaching, there are enough rumors circulating to keep even the most casual of fans interested. Prospects are taking visits, and teams are angling for trades with a fresh batch of new talent about to hit the league.

Then there is superstar running back Adrian Peterson, who is not a lock to wear Minnesota Vikings purple this season.

Here is a look at the latest buzz from around the league on Peterson and much more.

Adrian Peterson

While much of the hype surrounding the NFL is draft related, a running back who racked up 2,097 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground in 2012 is potentially available. Peterson only played one game last year because of suspension, so he is relatively fresh as well.

He could single-handedly transform an offense and is the center of trade rumors.

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press shared the latest: “A source close to the situation believes that if disgruntled running back Adrian Peterson isn't traded before or during next week's NFL draft, the Vikings won't deal him to another team before the 2015 season.”

The same source also said that the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the mix for Peterson.

That line of thinking makes sense, because Minnesota will have plenty of leverage come draft day once Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley are off the board (as Tomasson noted). Those teams could all use stability at the running back position, and only two of them will end up with Gordon or Gurley.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Vikings could also trade Peterson before draft day and free that team up to pursue other needs besides running back during the draft. 

If Minnesota fails to trade Peterson before or during the draft, those squads with running back holes could turn to secondary options, such as Jay Ajayi, Tevin Coleman or Ameer Abdullah. That would dramatically decrease the Vikings’ leverage.

Breshad Perriman

John Raoux/Associated Press

Central Florida’s Breshad Perriman may not draw headlines like fellow class of 2015 wide receivers Amari Cooper or Kevin White, but he finished the 2014 season with 1,044 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches.

His 20.9 yards-per-catch average is also a testament to his ability to beat defenders deep with impressive speed. 

ProFootballTalk noted that the Tennessee Titans are interested:

The Titans were a disappointing 22nd in the league in passing yards last year and could use a 6’2” deep threat who can also go up and get passes in the red zone.

Former Central Florida tight end Justin Tukes painted an enticing picture when discussing Perriman, per Shannon Owens-Green of the Orlando Sentinel:

"

I worked out with him down in [Fort Lauderdale,] and [I've] seen him take off . . . and we were just doing 10s and he's getting 1.3s. and 1.4s. I know how much different his 10 to 30 ratio to all the way to the finish is, how much better he gets. And [I've] seen his growth and I knew he was gonna come around that area, 4.3, 4.2. 

"

Wide receiver is one of the deepest positions in this year’s draft. Perriman is a potential early second-round pick who has the physical skills to challenge for 1,000 receiving yards right away. His presence alone would bolster the Titans passing attack in 2015 and beyond.

Jamison Crowder

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t hurting in the passing game with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Roddy White, but they could use a reliable third or fourth option. 

Duke’s Jamison Crowder could be exactly that and a potential star in the special teams department. That is what makes this update so intriguing from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and NFL.com:

Crowder was a first-team All-ACC wide receiver and special teams player last season and took two punts to the house for the Blue Devils. He finished with 1,044 receiving yards and six touchdown catches and was second in the conference with 85 receptions.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com was high on Crowder: "Great instant acceleration. Will burst out of cuts and gain separation when working underneath. Good route-runner who consistently gets on top of defenders quicker than they expect. Will sink hips and snap his route off abruptly. Has experience as both outside and slot wide receiver."

Hal Yeager/Associated Press

The thing that jumps out about Crowder is his speed and acceleration in the open field, which makes him an ideal pairing with White and Jones. Defenders will focus much of their attention on the receivers on the outside, which could open Crowder up from the slot in one-on-one situations with linebackers or safeties. 

That formula would lead to some touchdowns next season.

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