Oakland Raiders: Predicting biggest moves of 2019 NFL free agency

Raiders ink Adrian Peterson to short-term pact

The Raiders need to find a fix at running back, even if it isn’t a permanent one. Re-signing Marshawn Lynch isn’t the answer, and relying on Doug Martin and Jalen Richard to get the job done, well, isn’t going to get the job done.

What the Raiders need to do is find a more capable veteran runner who can bridge the gap until a younger replacement emerges. That’s why Adrian Peterson makes sense as the perfect offseason target for this Oakland offense that’s doing its best to avoid falling apart.

Here’s the scenario: Peterson signs on as the new starter, and Richard is re-signed as well. That leaves the future Hall of Famer as the top dog in the Oakland backfield, while the youngster serves as the passing-down back. Then, the Raiders use an early-round pick on a running back, allowing the rookie to work his way into the rotation instead of being thrown to the wolves.

Even if Peterson’s deal is only for one year, that gives him another opportunity to prove he’s still got it. If things go well, the Raiders bring him back for another year or allow him to see if he can help another team in 2020. Either way, he gives them a capable starter in the meantime.

On the surface, it seems ridiculous. Peterson will be 34 by the time the 2019 season starts. And yet, he’s coming off a 1,000-yard season during which he convinced the rest of the NFL he’s not out of service.

Plus, we all know how much Gruden loves his cheap, aging veterans.