With Adrian Peterson's future still up in the air after the running back's suspension was upheld in December, the Minnesota Vikings might need to consider other options at the position moving forward.
"I think a lot (of the offseason plan) will depend on Adrian's situation, but I also know initially, as I start putting a little bit of the draft stuff together, it's a pretty good running back class this year," general manager Rick Spielman said Wednesday, per the team's official website. "I think it's one of the better running back classes, depth-wise, in quite a while."
The Vikings mainly used a combination of Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon and Joe Banyard with Peterson out of the lineup for 15 games. The athletic McKinnon showed the most promise before hitting injured reserve with a back injury. Asiata is a power back best used in a rotation and Banyard got little run last season.
Peterson's NFL status will be revisited in mid-April and his future with the organization remains in doubt, given his $15.4 million salary and some potential that the running back himself might want to part ways.
Spielman echoed other's positivity toward Peterson returning to Minnesota, adding that he didn't know a team that wouldn't want the running back.
"I've been here his whole career and know what type of person Adrian is, but I also know we have to follow by everything that's put in place for us," Spielman said. "Is there a resolution? Not right now. All I know is where we stand today. Is that going to change? I'm sure it will change, but until those things change, until things get resolved, right now, we have Adrian Peterson, who is under contract next year who is currently suspended by the NFL."
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