Daily Haze: Adrian Peterson, First Round Pick Again

If you needed more proof that Adrian Peterson isn’t mortal, you’re getting it this week.

Less than eight months removed from tearing his ACL on Christmas Eve, which ended his 2011 season, Peterson has been removed from the Vikings’ Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He’s due to resume practice at training camp and contact work this week.

It’s an amazing recovery for Peterson so far, who many thought would not be ready for the season opener. Barring any setbacks now, it does appear that he not only will be ready for Week 1 but could be the starter.

The news clearly has spread to the fantasy football world. Peterson’s average draft position (ADP) has jumped up near the top of the second round. On August 1, Peterson was closer to the 3rd round. Now he’s currently the 16th overall selection in 12-team mock drafts according to Fantasy Football Calculator. At 2.04, Peterson is only a few spots away from being a first-round pick again.

And I think he will get there in the next few weeks. With Trent Richardson and Ryan Mathews falling out of the first round last week due to injuries, there are vacancies to be filled in the first round. Peterson, and his bionic knee, should continue this upward trend barring any setbacks.

Peterson had been as durable as any running back in the NFL up to his injury. Now, even in recovery, he’s showing that durability. That’s something some running backs — Richardson and Mathews, for example — still have to prove to fantasy owners.

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