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This is the Scouting Report for Adrian Peterson in the March '07 Draft Insiders Yearbook

1. * Adrian Peterson #28 - 6’1� 220 lbs. - Oklahoma - Sp. 4.4 Rating 93 Hindu Theory Steven Jackson

Electrifying junior tailback returned for his final game with the Sooners’ in their bowl game, displaying all the talent that made him one of the premier playmakers over his short career. Adrian combines all the athletic talent to become a top flight NFL feature back. After going down with a broken collarbone at midseason during the ’06 season, he returned with a strong performance in the Sooners heart breaking Fiesta Bowl loss to Boise St. His freshman and sophomore seasons were also outstanding performances for the Sooners, though they too were marred by persistent injuries that limited his production. He is an imposing back with an awesome athletic package that includes size, speed, quickness, hands and power. He is very quick to the hole with an excellent burst of speed through the hole that pressures a defense instantly. He has good change of direction skills to create running lanes and the rare breakaway speed to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He explodes thru the hole that allows him to get to the 2nd level consistently with the power to both break tackles and the speed to outrun defenders. He has improved as a receiver and route runner to warrant a high complete grade, in addition to showing the ability to pick up the blitz more consistently. His excellent triangle numbers and natural openfield running skills makes him a threat to break the play regularly and his soft hands as a receiver gives him the ability to make things happen after the catch. He may be the nation’s best player and capable of being one of the special prospects for the NFL Draft ’07 if he proves durable as an NFL performer. He burst on to the college scene with a record setting freshman season when he challenged the 2000 rushing mark. He is one of the rarest running backs from the college ranks over the past few decades, rating with Reggie Bush, and another freshman phenom named Herschel Walker. He has exceptional quickness to the hole with excellent change of direction skills to create running lanes and the rare burst of speed to go the distance every time he touches the ball. Within a short area, his suddenness allows him to create running lanes, using his fine speed and power to be dangerous in any situation to hit the home run. As a receiver, he creates huge problems for coverage while showing fine hands and route running to put him in space to utilize his breakaway speed to make a big play. He is refined receiver though he needs reps in that aspect of play with further route running experience and better defense recognition. His fine cutting skills allow him to cutback fast going through the hole without losing speed and exploding through any opening into the secondary. He ranks with any back in memory and resembles recent NFL stars Edgerrin James and Steven Jackson in his size, speed, AA and openfield running skills. He is also similar to former NFL great Eric Dickerson in most areas especially his straight up running style. Adrian has tried to adjust his running style and runs with a lower pad level, though still too straight up at times that leaves him exposed to many hits. His tremendous big play ability as a runner and receiver makes him one of the special prospects this spring. He was the lightning in the Sooners’ one dimensional offense that relied on him to provide both the big play ability and carry the workhorse load to be the main weapon in their attack. He is a big athletic runner with the combination of speed, quickness, hands, toughness and instincts to become a top NFL feature as a rookie. He is a fast fluid runner with very quick feet, allowing him to accelerate through the hole and hit the opening at top speed. He displays outstanding natural running skills, such as vision, balance, & change-of-direction to consistently get to the 2nd level. He can shift gears, hitting top speed quickly and uses his blockers well to set up defenders, finishing runs with explosive power. He has the power to run between the tackles and the quickness to bounce outside and make a big play in the open field. He is mainly a slashing type runner, who sets up defenders and reads blocks quickly. He carried a big rushing load on a weekly basis and though his durability is a concern, he has all the components to become a top-flight starting feature back. Whether he can carry 300+ times annually as a pro remains to be seen with only one season topping that mark as a collegian. He has shown the ability to get stronger over the course of the game with the power to wear down a defense. He earns much of his yardage after contact, displaying fine strength and balance to get the most of each attempt. He is an excellent receiver who displays very good hands and a good sense in route running and natural talent from early in his career. He moves gracefully into his patterns and has a good feel for coverage and consistently catches the ball, using his terrific running skills after the catch. He occupies the free safety in pass coverage, keeping most other receivers in single matchups. He needs work as a blocker especially his hand technique. He shows the ability to pick up a blitzing backer but must learn to use his hands better to adjust after the initial contact to sustain his blocks longer. He has the toughness, size and AA to have a fast learning curve in that vital role.
The Numbers: Over his final season, he played in only 7 games with 188 carries for 1012 yards for a fine 5.4 yard average with 12 TDs and 10 receptions for 136 yards and a fine 13.6 yard average and 1 TD. With his last rushing attempt, he went for a 25 yard TD in overtime vs Boise St. only to lose the game with a dramatic finish by the Broncos. In ’05, he started 8 of 11 games with 220 carries for 1108 yards, 14 TDs and a long of 84 yards, while averaging 5 yards per carry. He also added 9 receptions working with a young passer. During the '04 season, he rushed for a freshman mark of 1925 yards on 339 carries, two new records during his true freshman season. Over 70% of that yardage came after contact, an incredible fact especially for a 19 year old first year performer. He averaged a fine 5.7 yard average and 15 TDs while also adding 5 receptions. He accomplished this despite a shoulder injury. He had his best two games vs arch rivals, Texas and Oklahoma St when he went over the 240 rushing mark in both contests.
The Skinny: Explosive playmaker with the rare speed and ability to be a game-to-game NFL feature back and an immediate difference maker as a pro. He has produced in big game situations since his true freshman season and wants the ball in critical situations. With a short college career and limited carries, his best football is ahead of him. He needs to prove durable as a pro, a critical question if he is to live up to his AA and big game production. Fast big tough back with well rounded skills to become an NFL star runner combining the speed and size with power to run inside and great speed and running skills to get outside and make the corner consistently, which puts him in rare company among running backs. At the combine, he ran super 4.41 and 4.4 times with no lifting, but added a 36.5� VL and a 10’7� BJ. He was impressive in the agility drills and completed a fine workout despite the death of his half brother over the week. Top running back with an early 1st round choice. He is capable of becoming an immediate impact performer with the ability to be a difference maker in any offense. One of the best natural runners over the past few decades. Young athlete just turned 22 and has his best football ahead him. Major playmaker and workhorse runner that must prove healthy and he can line up for 16 games annually to realize his terrific AA package. Annual Pro Bowl performer. Browns, Lions and Vikes very interested. Draft Projection: 1st Round - Top 5 Pick