Dolphins Star Says Former Viking Adrian Peterson is Greatest RB Ever

Star Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is among those who believe Vikings legend Adrian Peterson is the greatest running back of all time.

In a recent episode of his podcast It Needed To Be Said, Hill and Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson ranked their top five RBs in NFL history. These were their lists:

#Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill and #Falcons RB Bijan Robinson gave their lists for the Top-5 RBs of All-Time.

Tyreek:
1) #Vikings Adrian Peterson
2) #Titans Derrick Henry
3) #Lions Barry Sanders
4) #Bears Gale Sayers
5) #Rams Eric Dickerson

Bijan:
1) #Lions Barry Sanders
2)… pic.twitter.com/7g3bnE8WrJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 20, 2023

Peterson certainly has a place in the discussion, even if he isn't most people's pick as the greatest running back ever. The former Vikings star ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards, trailing only Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Frank Gore, and Barry Sanders. Outside of Gore, that's three names who are firmly in the mix as the best to ever do it at the RB position. LaDainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson, Jim Brown, and Marshall Faulk are also worthy of consideration.

The case for Peterson involves both his production and the eye test. He made seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro four times in his eight full seasons with the Vikings. He won offensive rookie of the year in 2007, finished fourth in MVP voting the following year, then won the MVP award when he returned from an ACL tear and ran for 2,097 yards in 2012. No non-QB has won it since then.

Prime Peterson's combination of lethal power and breakaway speed is arguably unmatched in NFL history. He could run over a linebacker or make a quick cut and accelerate to the house from anywhere on the field.

There's a case for Peterson. There's a case for Brown, who was head and shoulders above the competition during his era. There are cases for Payton and Smith and Dickerson. Personally, I think the nod has to go to Sanders for his sustained dominance over an entire decade.

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long. Also, follow me on Twitter and feel free to ask me any questions on there.