June 9, 2019

“I got my mark set at 2,000 yards.” This is a direct quote from Adrian Peterson in 2019. After turning back the clock and submitting one of the most improbable 1,000 yard seasons in recent memory, the legendary running back enters 2019 as part of a complicated Washington backfield. Second-year back Derrius Guice is expected to be the lead back in Washington, but Guice missed the entire 2018 season due to a torn ACL and is completely unproven. Chris Thompson will factor into the passing game out of the backfield, but he always struggles to stay healthy and is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. Washington drafted Stamford halfback Bryce Love in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but he’s also coming off an injury that ended his collegiate career and it remains unclear if he’ll be ready for camp. Peterson is, oddly enough, the only real certainty in the Washington backfield. The 34-year-old future Hall-of-Famer will likely enter training camp at the top of Washington’s depth chart. There’s a chance he enters the season as the team’s starting halfback. Peterson is in great shape and proved last year that he can still go. While he’s unlikely to be the team’s starter by the end of the season, he should provide immediate value out of the gate and is a great pick for owners who select high-risk running backs early on. A 10th-round ADP is steep for a guy who is basically a ticking time bomb. But when it comes to AD, never say never. It’s not impossible for him to put together another 1,000 yard season.--Steve Rebeiro - RotoBaller