Who will replace Adrian Peterson and Darrelle Revis?

Written by Christian Lysek

It isn't often two future Hall of Famers are released in the same day, but that is what happened yesterday. Adrian Peterson is the best running back of the 21st century, but at 32 years old and coming off a knee injury, there was more risk bringing him back than reward. Darrelle Revis' play inexplicably fell off of a cliff last season, and Revis Island became Revis Resort for wide receivers. Thankfully for the Jets and Vikings, this year's draft and free agency is loaded with running backs and corners. Let's look at some of the options both teams have:

Vikings Options in free agency:

Adrian Peterson

1. Eddie Lacy: The 26 year old back is a free agent this year, and injuries and weight concerns may drive his price down far enough for the Vikings to pick him up. If he can return to his 2014 form, Eddie Lacy is a Pro Bowl running back.
2. Latavius Murray: Latavius Murray has been the workhorse back for the Oakland Raiders for the past few seasons, and while he has not been elite, he has been very good. He is a power runner with speed and has a similar style to AP, making him a nice fit in Minnesota. 
3. Isaiah Crowell: Isaiah Crowell has been splitting carries with Duke Jonson for the Browns past few seasons, but honestly, Crowell deserves a feature role. He is a bigger back, but he has a knack for making huge runs and is deceptively speedy. 
4. Doug Martin: While Doug Martin is not a free agent, there is a good chance he may become one. Tampa Bay seems to be getting tired of his inconsistencies, and his last suspension did not help. Martin is still extremely talented, so getting him on the cheap would a great move by the Vikings.
5. Mike Gillislee: Mike Gillislee took over as the Bills feature back when LeSean McCoy went down with injury midway through the season and ran for 5.7 YPC. Gillisee is a young back at 26 years old and has the size at 5'11'' and 219 pounds to be the Vikings feature back.

Vikings Options in the draft: 

1. D'Onta Foreman: D'Onta Foreman but the Texas offense on his back last season. The big back is over 240 lbs, but has quick feet and good breakaway speed. He is the closest prospect to Marshawn Lynch we have seen in awhile. 
2. Jamaal Williams: Jamaal Williams is a violent workhorse from BYU. He has some off the field questions to answer, but Williams runs with good speed, power, and vision.
3. Wayne Gallman: Wayne Gallman didn't get as much credit as he deserved when he was a Clemson Tiger. Gallman runs with great vision and balance, and he seems to think that if he goes down the world will end. Gallman has another level of determination and competitiveness other backs don't have.
4. Kareem Hunt: Kareem Hunt left college as Toledo's all-time leading rusher, and he is an excellent all-around back. He can lower his shoulder in the power game, can juke out defenders in a phone booth, and receive the ball. On top of that, Hunt's legs are built like tree trunks and people seem to bounce off him like tennis balls.
5. Elijah Hood: While Elijah Hood had a disappointing 2016 season, his 2015 season was special. The bruiser ran for over 1500 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is built like a bull and runs like one too.

Darrelle Revis

Jets Options in Free Agency:

1. A.J. Bouye: A.J. Bouye was the breakout player nobody predicted. He went from backup corner to top ten corner in a span of weeks. He has the ball skills and youth to be a building block in the Jets defense.
2. Stephon Gillmore: Getting Stephon Gillmore is knocking out two birds with one stone. The Jets get an emerging corner while weakening a division rival in the Bills.
3. Trumain Johnson: Trumain Johnson was one of the few bright spots for the Rams last year. The young corner is coming off of a franchise tag and looking for a long-term deal, and the Jets would be more than happy to upgrade their secondary with him.
4. Dre' Kirkpatrick: Dre'Kirkpatrick was once thought to be a bust because of his sparse playing time and inconsistency, but he showed why he was a first-round pick last season. His inconsistent first few years will drive his price down, so look for the Jets to take a swing at him.
5. Logan Ryan: Just like Stephon Gillmore, nabbing Logan is taking out two birds with one stone. it weakens the Patriots while giving the Jets one of the league's most underrated corners.

Jets Options in the Draft:

1. Marshon Lattimore: My first ranked corner in this draft class should be available for the jets to take with the sixth pick. He has size, ball skills, and incredible speed. He looks like a lockdown corner in the making.
2. Quincy Wilson: While he is my second ranked corner, the gap between him and Lattimore is slimmer than Randy Savage's favorite snack. Wilson has great ball skills and instincts and would be an immediate starter in the Jets secondary.
3. Fabian Moreau: Fabian Moreau is one of the lesser known corners in the draft, but NFL execs certainly know of his talent. He has great size at 6' and 190 lbs and reportedly runs a sub 4.4 40 yard dash. Moreau has all of the tools to be a great player for the Jets.
4. Desmond King: Desmond King has been knocked for his lack of speed and some are suggesting that he will move to safety, but I don't believe that for a second. Desmond King had 14 picks over three years at Iowa and has lockdown B1G receivers every year he has played.King has the skills, people are just overthinking it.
5. Cordrea Tankersley: Cordrea Tankersley played across from Mackensie Alexander in 2015, and he is a better prospect than Alexander was. That is high praise, since Alexander was a second round pick who easily could have gone in the first. Tankersley has better ball skills than his old teammate and is just as much of an athlete.

All stats obtained from ESPN stats and info