NY Giants rumors: Saquon Barkley, Adrian Peterson in same backfield?

Could Dave Gettleman continue collecting running backs, pairing Adrian Peterson alongside Saquon Barkley in the NY Giants’ backfield? 

It’s no secret NY Giants general manager Dave Gettleman values running backs more than most of his contemporaries across the NFL, and even after signing Devontae Booker this offseason, might Gettleman be tempted to add more depth behind Saquon Barkley?

As free agency reaches its final wave before training camps begin next month, there are few names remaining that would be more enticing to Gettleman than future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson. Especially since Peterson wouldn’t factor into the NY Giants’ supplemental pick formula next spring.

The Score’s Jack Browne believes the NY Giants could be an ideal landing spot for Peterson:

"Adrian PetersonPeterson continues to fight back harder against Father Time than anyone in the NFL not named Tom Brady. After two solid seasons in Washington, the 36-year-old had 604 yards and seven touchdowns for the Lions in 2020. Peterson needs just 450 more to pass Barry Sanders for fourth on the all-time rushing list, so it’s a given he will try and play at least one more campaign.However, finding a landing spot for him is hard. Peterson’s lack of receiving skills makes him an awkward fit as a No. 2, but he will almost certainly need to take on a backup role to an established starter, perhaps Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants or Austin Ekeler of the Chargers. But perhaps the Oklahoma product’s best chance of earning a ring and getting enough work to pass Sanders could be with the run-happy Seahawks.Prediction: Signs with Giants"

Peterson, at age 35, averaged 3.9 yards per carry for the Detroit Lions, while rushing for 604 yards and seven touchdowns in his 10th NFL season in 2020.

Does signing Adrian Peterson make sense for the NY Giants?

There is certainly an argument that given that the NY Giants finished last season 26th in the league with 399 rushing attempts — without Barkley after Week 2, that continuing to add quality depth to the backfield could be advantageous.

Especially given that Barkley is coming off of a torn ACL and must prove this season he can stay healthy, after missing 18 games the past two seasons.

However, after signing Booker, former Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl hero Corey Clement, and Ryquell Armstead, in addition to drafting Gary Brightwell out of Arizona this spring, even at the veteran minimum it makes little sense to add Peterson to that bunch.

Signing Peterson would block Brightwell from getting carries and it’s debatable that Armstead has more upside, at age 24.

For the veteran minimum on a non-guaranteed contract, as a mentor to Barkley for one season it makes sense, but both sides would likely need to concede to a drastically reduced role for Peterson, which on the surface would seem unlikely.

Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com, Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL