You can't fight Father Time forever. The early cuts are rolling in, and the biggest name is a future Hall of Famer expected to at least open as a starter. Washington axed Adrian Peterson today.
It's a surprise, considering Peterson was a credible running back even last year, at age 34. Only 16 running backs had more rushing yards than he did. But it's also clear what a dinosaur he is at this point. Of the top 35 rushers a year ago, Peterson is one of only seven who's been in the league more than 5 seasons. (Those players bolded in the table below.) Only five of those players are currently on rosters (the rebuilding Jets, humorously, have two of them), and only two will be 2020 starters.
| 2019 LEADING RUSHERS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Exp | Age | Att | Yds | TD |
| Derrick Henry, Ten. | 4 | 25 | 303 | 1540 | 16 |
| Nick Chubb, Cle. | 2 | 24 | 298 | 1494 | 8 |
| Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 3 | 23 | 287 | 1387 | 15 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 4 | 24 | 301 | 1357 | 12 |
| Chris Carson, Sea. | 3 | 25 | 278 | 1230 | 7 |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 3 | 24 | 265 | 1152 | 3 |
| Josh Jacobs, Oak. | 1 | 21 | 242 | 1150 | 7 |
| Joe Mixon, Cin. | 3 | 23 | 278 | 1137 | 5 |
| Dalvin Cook, Min. | 3 | 24 | 250 | 1135 | 13 |
| Marlon Mack, Ind. | 3 | 23 | 247 | 1091 | 8 |
| Aaron Jones, G.B. | 3 | 25 | 236 | 1084 | 16 |
| Carlos Hyde, Hou. | 6 | 29 | 245 | 1070 | 6 |
| Mark Ingram, Balt. | 9 | 30 | 202 | 1018 | 10 |
| Phillip Lindsay, Den. | 2 | 25 | 224 | 1011 | 7 |
| Saquon Barkley, NYG | 2 | 22 | 217 | 1003 | 6 |
| Sony Michel, N.E. | 2 | 24 | 247 | 912 | 7 |
| Adrian Peterson, Was. | 13 | 34 | 211 | 898 | 5 |
| David Montgomery, Chi. | 1 | 22 | 242 | 889 | 6 |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 5 | 25 | 223 | 857 | 12 |
| Miles Sanders, Phil. | 1 | 22 | 179 | 818 | 3 |
| Kenyan Drake, 2TM | 4 | 25 | 170 | 817 | 8 |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 3 | 24 | 171 | 797 | 5 |
| LeVeon Bell, NYJ | 7 | 27 | 245 | 789 | 3 |
| Devin Singletary, Buff. | 1 | 22 | 151 | 775 | 2 |
| Raheem Mostert, S.F. | 5 | 27 | 137 | 772 | 8 |
| Ronald Jones, T.B. | 2 | 22 | 172 | 724 | 6 |
| Gus Edwards, Balt. | 2 | 24 | 133 | 711 | 2 |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 6 | 27 | 184 | 656 | 2 |
| Latavius Murray, N.O. | 8 | 29 | 146 | 637 | 5 |
| Matt Breida, S.F. | 3 | 24 | 123 | 623 | 1 |
| Melvin Gordon, LAC | 5 | 26 | 162 | 612 | 8 |
| Frank Gore, Buff. | 15 | 36 | 166 | 599 | 2 |
| Austin Ekeler, LAC | 3 | 24 | 132 | 557 | 3 |
| Tevin Coleman, S.F. | 5 | 26 | 137 | 544 | 6 |
| Jordan Howard, Phil. | 4 | 25 | 119 | 525 | 6 |
Lean is that Peterson will find a new team at some point, maybe this weekend, or maybe after Week 1 (when veteran salaries aren't guaranteed) or when injuries/illness strike. But it's not a given, either. Devonta Freeman, for example, would seem to have more left in the tank, and he's still looking for work. You'd think he's a little more likely to find a job than Peterson.
Washington is now down to Peyton Barber (who I'd assumed would be cut), Antonio Gibson, Bryce Love and J.D. McKissic at running back. McKissic should be a third-down type; Gibson has been sitting in with both running backs and receivers, so he could have a hybrid role. The main runner, at least initially, figures to be either Barber or Love.
Love, the second-year back who spent his rookie season on IR after a college knee injury, is the one I'd throw a late-round pick at. He's healthy now and had a strong preseason. Washington is definitely going younger in its backfield.
--Andy Richardson