Minnesota Vikings Rumors: Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon Drafted if Adrian Peterson Traded? Teddy Bridgewater Favors DeVante Parker for Mike Wallce, Charles Johnson Help

Apr 24, 2015 12:46 PM EDT
Todd Gurley
Former Georgia running back Todd Gurley celebrates a touchdown against the Florida Gators."

If the Minnesota Vikings are trading Adrian Peterson it will likely happen within the next week. The team's intentions are to gain draft picks from the deal and they would want those picks for this year, not the future. With reportedly six teams interested in making a deal for Peterson, what will the Vikings do if they land an extra first-round pick from the move?

According to Chris Tomasson from the Pioneer Press, the Vikings are requesting a first-round draft pick for a Peterson trade and six teams ranging from the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys are showing interest in the running back. While the Vikings have maintained the stance that they expect to retain Peterson and make him a starter, the running back has yet to show up to practice and the relationship is damaged enough that Minnesota would make the move at the right price. Head coach Mike Zimmer remains hopeful that things work out with Peterson in 2015.

"I'm not going to speculate on what he wants or doesn't want," Zimmer said, via ESPN.com. "Adrian's under contract for three more years with us, and that's why you sign those contracts. That's why you get these big bonuses, you know? We have no plans to trade Adrian."

Several teams like the idea of getting Peterson, but the first-round pick demand is tough to meet. Most teams are deciding between drafting a young star like Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon or give up the pick for an aging running back who might be an x-factor, but only for a few more years. Larry Fitzgerald made it clear he wants the Arizona Cardinals to strike a deal while Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones is making it clear that giving up a lot for a veteran is not in the cards for the team.

So what happens if the Vikings do in fact trade Peterson and get that first-round pick? One of the pressing needs for the team could be the running back spot. The Vikings have Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, but Gurley or Gordon would be a huge upgrade. According to several NFL mock drafts, the Vikings could go a number of ways in the first round. The team could be in the running for a cornerback with the No. 11 pick or they could grab a wide receiver. It just so happens that Teddy Bridgewater's former favorite receiver DeVante Parker is in this year's class and would be available. 

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