6 free agents the Minnesota Vikings should avoid in 2021
By Adam Patrick
Adrian Peterson – RB
- Age: 35
- 2020 Team: Detroit Lions
It has only been a few weeks since we last saw Adrian Peterson on an NFL field when he was a member of a Detroit Lions team that suffered a Week 17 loss to the Vikings. During that matchup, Peterson rushed for 63 yards on seven carries against his old team.
The former Minnesota running back is scheduled to be a free agent this year and he hasn’t given any indication that he’ll be hanging up his cleats anytime soon. While some Vikings fans would love to see Peterson return to the team that drafted him, there’s no reason for Minnesota to bring him back.
The Vikings might be in need of a third running back behind Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison this offseason with Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah both scheduled to become free agents. But unless Minnesota wants to hear Peterson complain about not getting enough touches as the team’s No. 3 running back, they should let some other team give him a shot.
Jadeveon Clowney – DE/LB
- Age: 27
- 2020 Team: Tennessee Titans
A year ago, Jadeveon Clowney was regarded by some as the top player available in free agency. But then he waited all the way until last September to sign a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans and his performance in 2020 isn’t something that should result in the Vikings paying a bunch of money to add him to their defense.
Minnesota does need pass-rushing help. But pursuing a guy in Clowney who has only accumulated a total of three sacks in his last two seasons isn’t something they should be doing this offseason.