The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to a trade for Adrian Peterson for the better part of a year now. The Minnesota Vikings running back reportedly told owner Jerry Jones that he wants to play for Dallas while his high salary cap hit made him trade bait with his current team. The suspension derailed things for Peterson, but after getting reinstated back into the NFL and being placed once again on the trade blocks, the Cowboys do not appear interested anymore in the running back.
According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Dallas Cowboys are not involved in trade talk for Peterson. Despite clearing the cap space to acquire the running back's contract, the Cowboys appear very hesitant at the idea of giving up a first-round draft pick for an aging player. Team vice president Stephen Jones confirmed those hesitations on an ESPN Dallas radio station saying the Cowboys would not be dealing draft picks for veteran players.
Dallas still needs a running back, but giving up their top pick for someone who is already 30 is not in the cards. The Cowboys will instead look to the first two rounds to help fill the void that is still open following the departure of DeMarco Murray, According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys will target either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon in the first round. If those two backs are not available then they will make a move for TJ Yeldon in the second round. Giving up the pick for Peterson is not an option.
The longer Peterson sits on the market, the more unlikely it appears the Vikings will trade him. There are only a few teams left who could realistically make the move. The Jacksonville Jaguars are still lingering around the trade talk. Larry Fitzgerald has requested the Arizona Cardinals get serious with a deal. The issue remains to be Peterson's price tag. If the Vikings lowered the demands to a second round draft pick, they could easily get a trade for Peterson done.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media believes the Vikings are very comfortable entering the season with Peterson as their starting running back which is why the price is so high for the veteran. If they fully confident in the rotation of Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, a lower draft pick might be the better option for Peterson.
