ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Adrian Peterson or Marshawn Lynch? Marshawn Lynch or Adrian Peterson?
The Oakland Raiders, in the market for a running back after Latavius Murray left for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, could be deciding between All Day and Beast Mode, who were selected five picks apart in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft -- yes, the fateful draft in which the Raiders took JaMarcus Russell first overall.
Peterson, who went to the Vikings at No. 7 out of Oklahoma, and Lynch, who was taken by the Buffalo Bills at No. 12 from Cal, are not young anymore. Peterson turns 32 on Tuesday, and Lynch turns 31 on April 22, and both suffered injuries in the last season they played.
But when they played, they were productive.
As ESPN Stats & Information notes, Peterson ranks first and Lynch ranks second in rushing touchdowns since 2007, with Peterson scoring 97 TDs and Lynch scoring 74 times. During Lynch’s tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, which began in 2010, only Peterson had more rushing yards after contact.
Also, Peterson’s 11,747 rushing yards since 2007 are the most in the NFL, while Lynch’s 9,112 rushing yards rank fifth. Peterson’s 2,418 carries are the second-most in the league, and Lynch’s 2,144 attempts are the fourth-most in that time frame.
If nothing else, each back should be rested. Peterson appeared in only three games last season after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee. Lynch, whose rights would have to be given up by the Seahawks, retired after appearing in just seven games in 2015.
