Over the next few weeks, we'll evaluate the best and worst top 10 picks in a 10-year span from 1999-2008. We capped this at 2008 because it's unfair to judge first- or second-year players. Today, the pick seven success.
Pick: Seven overall
The player: Adrian Peterson | Running back | Minnesota Vikings (2007)
NFL Draft successes and busts 10-year evaluation: 7th overall success
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Of all the posts in this series, this one is probably the easiest. In each of his four seasons, Peterson hasn’t run for fewer than 1,298 yards and 10 touchdowns. Do that for 14 seasons and Peterson will be near Emmitt Smith’s all-time rushing record.
Whether he can or not will have to do with the same question that knocked Peterson down to the seventh pick in 2007 – his health. A power back, Peterson runs with an upright style that got him comparisons to Eric Dickerson. It’s also a style that opens Peterson up for more wear and tear. That was evident last season when he had just nine starts in 14 games played. For now, though, Peterson is one of the best running backs in football.
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