Will Marshawn Lynch or Adrian Peterson be better in the NFL?

Answer 1

If college production is any indicator, and it should be, then Marshawn Lynch will be.
Lynch has averaged more yards than Peterson during all three of their seasons (8.85, 6.36, 6.08 compared to 5.68, 5.00, 5.38).
Lynch is a MUCH better receiver than Peterson (68 receptions, 600 yards and 6 TDs compared to 24 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD)
I have not seen enough of Peterson to judge his blocking ability, but Lynch is a very decent blocker. He could use some work at it, but he has never shied away from stepping up and throwing a block during passing plays.
Peterson is better around the goal line (41 TDs to 29 TDs), but that is in part due to interesting play calling which pulled Lynch out around the goal line. Lynch has the power to punch it in, so I cannot explain the play calling.
Durability is where Lynch is clearly better than Peterson. Peterson has been repeatedly sidelined by shoulder and ankle injuries, and has taken a beating caused by his running style and massive carry load (747 versus 490). Lynch has only been sidelined due to a broken hand suffered during his sophomore year. He suffered from ankle problems last year, but never let them prevent him from playing.

But, how does this translate to the NFL? That's a very good question. The ability to stay healthy is key for all players, which brings Peterson's upright running style and history of injuries into question. But, injuries are impossible to predict.

Furthermore, it depends on the teams that draft each player. Peterson is projected to be drafted higher, in part due to better combine numbers, and thus is more likely to go to a team with a bad o-line. It does not matter how talented a running back is if they are always hit behind the line of scrimmage, see Edgerrin James on the Cardinals. Lynch is liable to go to a better team, and thus be aided by a better o-line.

I purposely did not compare combine numbers, because I consider them irrelevant. There are too many instances of players having a great workout at the combine and putting up insane numbers, and their career amounting to nothing.

Edit:
The claims of "baggage" about Lynch are complete bullshit. Yes, he was accused of sexual assault, but the DA declined to pursue charges because of contradictions in the accuser's claim, and witnesses that discout her testimony. That sounds like the woman was accusing him of a crime to leverage a civil suit, or some sort of financial payout.
Secondly, Lynch was involved in a drive by shooting incident while attending a high school graduation. That sounds bad, until you learn that they shot at him, because they thought he was someone else. There was even a call placed to Lynch's mother afterwards that said that they were not trying to target Lynch. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone starts shooting a gun. How is he at fault?

I have heard nothing to support any attitude issues. All everyone ever talks about is how he is such a great teammate.
These rumors are nothing more than jumped-up lies put out by teams that want him to fall, so that they can pick him themselves.

Answer 2

those two are both very talented running backs neither of which can make the hall of fame. i can see peterson with 2 or 3 season ending injuries because of his reckless style of play. he looks to run over ddefensive lineman which will get him in trouble because nfl lineman are about 20-30 pounds bigger than colledge. plus hes been loafin around in the weight room for the past season. marshawn lynch is not a consistent back. hes smaller and really wont ajust to an nfl speed. hes used to his slow division were he has to outrun a defense of a bunch of cripples. in the nfl he wont be able to outrun the secondary. he takes outside to much and hell get turned inside by a corner and put on his *** by a quicker linebacker. to be honest though i think peterson the bigger back will do better things for his team than marshawn. marshawn is a reggie bush knock off that will not get the job done.

Answer 3

i have a feeling peterson's career will be shorter due to a severe injury. lynch will have some off field issues that make a negative impact on his view and might cost him some games. however, seeing how strict the nfl is getting on these off field issues, lynch might mature and player longer then peterson. tough to say who will play better, i think lynch as he is an all around back, although peterson could take more caries.

Answer 4

In a keeper league I might desire to decline. Bowe and Lynch appear as if they're going to be sturdy gamers contained sooner or later, yet Peterson is amazing authentic now and could be much extra useful contained sooner or later. Bowe is going nowhere if he continues to be on the Chiefs who have not have been given any offense and Lynch is likewise on a team that struggles. Peterson is on a team that for the duration of straight forward terms has a working game, so he's going to get yards and score. fairly whilst he's doing it on 30+ backyard incorporates. you do no longer choose for a sturdy redzone offense to attain with a guy thats as explosive as All Day. No, no, and NO.

Answer 5

Adrian Peterson can be an every down back. I think Lynch will be more of a change of pace guy. So I would say Peterson.

Answer 6

Peterson by far. Lynch has some attitude issues that have pissed off coaches in the past, so Cal is not necessarily giving him rave reviews

Answer 7

i think peterson will be better, he is so talented and can make an immediate impact, his only issue is with injuries...lynch is also very gifted, but has some attitude problems and baggage which could cause him trouble in the nfl

Answer 8

Yea adrian Peterson will be a hall of famer. He will play for the browns his whole career.

Answer 9

Well, when the Browns pass him up, and Brady Quinn gets hurt in training camp for them, Adrian will win Rookie of the Year and go on to a hall of fame career. Just like always for us poor Browns fans. God love us!!

Answer 10

I think AP has more potential, but he seems to have problems staying healthy. It doesn't matter how fast you run, or how well you catch if you can't stay on the field. Just ask Ki-Jana Carter.