The Patriots had Adrian Peterson in for a visit yesterday. The two sides parted without a contract being signed. It’s also been reported that the Patriots and LeGarrette Blount have a mutual interest in making a deal for 2017.

So let’s quickly compare the two backs, and see just how different, or similar, they actually are – and who’s a better fit for the New England Patriots in 2017.

The Elephant in the Room

Leading off, both players have incidents in their past. Blount was suspended by the Oregon Ducks for punching an opponent on the field. The incident made national news, but it was eight years ago. Blount was a kid then, and hasn’t done anything to approach that behavior since.

On the other hand, Adrian Peterson pleaded guilty to beating his son in 2014.

When it comes to deciding between the two, this can’t be ignored. But for now, let’s compare them on the field.

Why Adrian Peterson is Better than Blount

The comparison between Blount and Adrian Peterson, in terms of career production is pretty one-sided.

Peterson is likely a Hall of Famer. He’s 16th in NFL history with 11,747 rushing yards; twice as many as Blount’s 5,122. Peterson’s got a yards per carry average of 4.9 yards per carry, to Blount’s 4.4.

The last time Peterson played a full-season, in 2015, he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,485 – the third time he’s led the league in that category.

On the other hand, we’ve seen Blount’s failings. We’ve seen him disappear for games at a time. Against big defensive lines, he tends to struggle.

So it can be really enticing to look at the career of Peterson and picture him in a Patriots uniform. He’s been a dynamic player in the NFL for a long time.

And there’s the rub.

Why LeGarrette Blount is Better than Peterson

Adrian Peterson is coming off a major knee injury last year. He tore the meniscus in his right knee in week two of the 2016 season. He was able to return last December, but was only able to manage 22 yards in 6 carries against the Colts in limited action.

Peterson’s only a year older than Blount – but he’s also got twice as many NFL carries as does Blount (2,418 to 1,168). That’s a lot of mileage on those tires. The Adrian Peterson that steps on the field next season will not be the one who set the record for rushing yards in a game with 296 yards in 2007. He’s not going to be the one who averaged 6 yards a carry and ran for 2,097 yards for the 2012 Vikings. He’s going to be a 32-year-old running back in 2017, and the number of great seasons by 32-year-old running backs are few and far between.

That, and there’s the role that this back will be asked to play. The Patriots aren’t looking for an Emmitt Smith-style back to carry 25+ times a game and get them 150 yards each week.

They’re looking for a blunt force weapon to beat opposing pass rushers with. They’re looking for someone to wear down defenses, and run through them. They’ve got plenty of backs to run around them, in Dion Lewis and James White. Rex Burkhead can be physical too, but nowhere near what Blount can do.

Money Changes Everything

Whoever the Patriots sign, it seems likely that they’d be looking to do so on a one-year deal, as they have a lot of free agents next season, and won’t be looking to tie up anyone in a long-term deal. Of the two, which one is more likely to agree to a one year deal for short money?

It’s pretty clearly Blount.

Which one is more likely to accept the platoon situation that the Patriots employ?

Again, this would seem to be Blount.

Which one is more likely to “Do your job” and not create any distractions?

Again, Blount.

And then there’s this

Of the things that Bill Belichick will care about, this one ranks extremely low – but in the hearts of the fandom, this matters.

LeGarrette Blount told Tom Brady’s mother “this one’s for you” after the Patriots won #SuperBowl. pic.twitter.com/VF2DaazHv6

— Adam London (@ALondon5) February 9, 2017

If you were putting together a Madden team on your PlayStation, you’d absolutely go with Peterson.

If you were looking to win another NFL title, you go with Blount.

Photo by Joe Bielawa