Vikings

Could the Vikings Use Peterson Like the Packers Used Charles Woodson?

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas (USA TODAY Sports)

The Minnesota Vikings made a big upgrade to their secondary on Wednesday night by signing Patrick Peterson to a one-year deal. As a three-time All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler, and member of the 2010s All-Decade team, Peterson provides credibility to a defense that relied on a pair of rookies last season.

But Peterson allowed five touchdowns in 2020, and it appeared that he had lost a step. When he demanded a $10 million salary, the Arizona Cardinals chose to take the risk on J.J. Watt, leaving Peterson to hit the free-agent market. That raises the possibility that Peterson is just a name at this point of his career.

There is also the chance the Vikings have a different plan that mirrors the late-career path of Charles Woodson.

Peterson and Woodson have plenty in common. Woodson is about to be inducted into the Hall of Fame; Peterson shouldn’t be far behind. In their prime, both players were among the top cornerbacks in the league and switched teams at the end of their careers.

For Woodson, that meant a stop in Wisconsin. He played cornerback for his first six seasons with the Green Bay Packers but found his own issues during the 2011 season. He led the NFL with seven interceptions but had warning signs that a change was necessary. With four touchdowns allowed, the Packers decided to convert him to safety, where Woodson played the final four years of his career.

The results were solid during the first half of the 2012 season, with Woodson recording an interception, 1.5 sacks, and 38 tackles in the first seven games. But he suffered an injury, missed the final nine games, and hit the free-agent market. That resulted in a homecoming with the Oakland Raiders over the final three years of his career, where Woodson turned into a strong safety and averaged 94 tackles per season and including 113 in 2014.

Woodson also re-discovered his coverage skills, recording nine interceptions and 17 pass breakups over his final two seasons. The result was a career extension that added to his Hall of Fame resumé.

Peterson, who will be arriving in Minnesota, has a lot in common with Woodson. Peterson is coming off a career-low coverage grade per Pro Football Focus and allowed 1.25 yards per coverage snap. While he improved to 1.05 yards per coverage snap in 2020, Peterson allowed a 100.8 passer rating and five touchdowns, prompting the Cardinals to move on.

With the Vikings’ depth issues at cornerback, they would like to try Peterson at the position where he has carved a Hall of Fame-worthy career. If that doesn’t work out, they could have Peterson move back to safety to replace Anthony Harris.

While they are still working to re-sign Harris, the move to put Peterson next to Harrison Smith could open up more possibilities. The Vikings could re-unite with Mackensie Alexander and keep Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney on the outside, or they could sign Adoree’ Jackson, who could also bolster the Vikings’ anemic return game.

Minnesota’s investment in Peterson isn’t a large one. With the two sides agreeing to a one-year deal, Peterson is looking to rehab his value and hit the market again in 2022. If he can do that at cornerback, the Vikings will be in a much better spot than they were a year ago.

But if they want to make this a long-term relationship, a move to safety may be in order. Their defense has leaks all over it, and this might be the best way to get the most out of Peterson’s services.

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Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas (USA TODAY Sports)

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