The boom scenario: Peterson consistently offers the same type of sticky, man-to-man coverage that enabled him to hold the Seahawks receiver, DK Metcalf, in a 6-yard catch on four targets, by Next Gen Stats, in Arizona’s week 7 victory in Seattle overtime . (Metcalf ended the game with two total catches of 23 yards.)
The bust scenario: In his 11th season in the NFL, Peterson’s speed drops to the point where he becomes a liability rather than an asset when compared to the other team’s WR1.
Who should take the risk? San Francisco 49ers. With four cornerbacks (Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon) heading for the free agency, San Francisco needs new blood in high school. Like the Niners did with Sherman when he left Seattle, they can still get good football and veteran leadership from Peterson, who certainly would like to have two chances a year to stay with the Cardinals if Arizona decides not to spend money to keep him .