The Arizona Cardinals have a need at running back this offseason and while they have been interested in an Adrian Peterson trade, the team likely will look at free agency and the draft as options, as players like Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson, Ben Tate, Knowshon Moreno, Ahmad Bradshaw, Travaris Cadet and Pierre Thomas are available and this comes as prospects Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman are visiting.
The Cardinals made the playoffs last season despite losing Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton to injuries, but their offense was a mess overall down the stretch. The team could not consistently run the ball and with the starting quarterback injured, the team became one dimensional and predictable. Bruce Arians has done a great job since coming in and now he has the Cardinals in position to make a playoff run again.
Palmer is expected back healthy and the team has high expectations after signing Larry Fitzgerald to a new contract. The team ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing yards and yards per game on the ground last season and that is why running backs are a main focus this offseason. Trent Richardson was just signed and that takes another name off the board, leaving some quality players like Chris Johnson, Steven Jackson and Pierre Thomas available.
The free agency market also has Ben Tate, Travaris Cadet, Knowshon Moreno and Ahmad Bradshaw are all still available and they could be potential fits for Arians' offense. The team already has Andre Ellington and while he was very good last year, he dealt with a nagging foot injury and he ended up missing four games last season. The team would like more depth along with Stepfan Taylor and while Peterson would take over as the starter if he was acquired, the team still likely would use Ellington quite a bit.
According to ESPN.com, the Cardinals are hosting Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon for a pre-draft visit and they are also meeting with Tevin Coleman from Indiana. Gordon is considered to be one of the top running backs in the draft along with Todd Gurley, TJ Yeldon and Coleman and the Cardinals could look at taking a back in one of the early rounds. Tevin Coleman also was very productive, going for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns and he averaged over seven yards per carry and could be a target for the Cards.
Running backs used to be top 10 picks, but that position has slipped in recent years, although this class is impressive and some could end up being taken in the first round. The Cardinals draft at 24th and while that might be a bit high to take an RB, the team could consider it if they don't see a "quality enough" player to take at that spot. Gordon was wildly productive in college, going for over 2000 yards last season and scoring 45 touchdowns in his career.
Peterson would be an ideal option for the Cardinals, as they are trying to win now and he is a veteran player with HOF skills and years of experience. But the money is a major issue and the Cardinals likely will not give up a high draft pick if they have to pay Peterson over $40 million for the next three seasons.