Adrian Peterson’s NFL Draft What-If: The Dallas Cowboys Story That Never Was
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When the Minnesota Vikings selected Adrian Peterson with the 7th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, they secured a generational talent. The Oklahoma product shattered expectations his rookie season, setting the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards against San Diego. Over nine seasons in Minneapolis, Peterson racked up 11,747 rushing yards and 102 touchdowns, earning four first-team All-Pro selections.
The Dallas Dream That Wouldn't Fade
Despite his Minnesota success, Peterson's Texas roots kept pulling his imagination toward Dallas. "It would be nice," he confessed in 2015 when asked about playing for the Cowboys. The attraction went beyond geography - Dallas' history of developing Hall of Fame running backs from Tony Dorsett to Emmitt Smith aligned perfectly with Peterson's career ambitions.
Missed Connections in Big D
The Cowboys had multiple opportunities to acquire Peterson:
- 2015: Dallas passed on trade talks despite Peterson's public interest
- 2019: Opted to keep Ezekiel Elliott rather than pursue Peterson as short-yardage specialist
Alternative Realities: Tampa Bay and New York
Other teams could have rewritten Peterson's story:
- Tampa Bay selected DE Gaines Adams at #4 in 2007, missing chance to pair Peterson with coach Jon Gruden's system
- New York Giants considered signing Peterson in 2021 as mentor for Saquon Barkley's ACL recovery
The Enduring Legacy of NFL's Last Workhorse
While Peterson's career eventually took him to six franchises, his 2012 MVP season after ACL/MCL tears remains the gold standard for running back resilience. As analysts debate draft-day scenarios, one truth emerges: Peterson's combination of breakaway speed and tackle-breaking power would have dominated in any era, on any team. His career reminds us that NFL history turns on single draft-night decisions - and the greatest "what-ifs" often belong to the legends themselves.
