

Bucky Brooks NFL.com

Minnesota would be wise to explore trades while Peterson's value remains high

As crazy as the trade sounds, it might not be a bad idea to trade Peterson for a few top draft picks and a young emerging player. While Peterson is a likely Hall of Famer, he is on the verge of becoming a descending player at this point of his career. Now, I know some will dispute that fact -- based on his 2,000-yard season in 2012 -- but history suggests most running backs never regain their form after such a stellar season, particularly at Peterson's age (28). Factor in the wear and tear of 1,800-plus carries over a seven-year NFL career, and it's unlikely Peterson will continue to perform at an elite level for the next three seasons.

A wise baseball man, Branch Rickey, once said it's better to get rid of a player a year too early rather than a year too late. The rationale behind that statement: You can maximize a player's value while he's still viewed as elite, which translates into better trade value for draft picks, etc. Bill Polian adhered to the strategy when he dumped Marshall Faulk in a trade that helped the Indianapolis Colts build the foundation of a team that consistently competed for the AFC championship for more than a decade.