So where does that leave the teams that have been mentioned at various times as potential future homes for the former rushing champ, by trade or release? Some are in better shape than others, and one has never wavered in claiming it was ready to move on without a big-name, big-salaried back. How much these five teams succeed on the ground without Peterson, though, remains to be seen.

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Cowboys

Who’s there? Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, Ryan Williams

Is that enough? Definitely, absolutely, positively … say the Cowboys (picture their brass pounding a table with a clenched fist). They didn’t draft a back, and the injury-prone McFadden was their big offseason addition. Instead, they’ve famously loaded up on the line and, basically, proclaimed that it could escort any back to great heights, just like with DeMarco Murray. They’ve even toyed with the idea of signing Chris Johnson, more proof that they’re not trying to pay a lot for a running back like Peterson.

Cardinals

Who’s there? Andre Ellington, David Johnson, Kerwynn Williams, Stepfan Taylor

Is that enough? It is if Ellington stays much healthier than he did last season; he’s dealt with another foot injury in the offseason, but has been taking part in workouts so far. Johnson, the third-round pick, will get an opportunity for a lot of work on the ground and in the passing game. Even with Ellington there until his Week 13 season-ending injury, the Cardinals finished next-to-last in the NFL in rushing and last in yards per carry … and still were Super Bowl contenders through 11 weeks and made the playoffs. Peterson was an obvious fit. They can still function, if not excel, if Ellington avoids further injury and Johnson contributes immediately.

Raiders

Who’s there? Latavius Murray, Trent Richardson, Roy Helu Jr.

Is that enough? Murray could be. He won’t duplicate that debut in the Thursday-night streak-busting win over the Chiefs every week (112 yards on four carries, remember?), but he proved to be a nice little find and a breath of fresh air once he started getting carries the rest of the season. Richardson, obviously, has a lot to prove. Helu is a solid, versatile change-of-pace addition. The Raiders aren’t one big back away from the playoffs, though; not even Peterson could take them on that kind of leap.

Buccaneers

Who’s there? Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey

Is that enough? Lovie Smith and new coordinator Dirk Koetter seem to be moving away from Martin, who never got his rookie-year groove back after missing most of 2013 with a torn labrum. Sims got a lot of work the second half of last season, his rookie year. Rainey has been effective running and receiving the last two seasons in Martin’s frequent absences. But the Bucs’ biggest problem by far, last year and now, is the line, and nobody (including Peterson, whose name was briefly connected to the Bucs before the draft) has much chance to succeed behind it right now.

Jaguars

Who’s there? T.J. Yeldon, Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart

Is that enough? They drafted Yeldon early in the second round, the third running back taken, so they believe he is. They’re not handing him the job, as they were pleased with Robinson’s development last season and grabbed ex-Raven Bernard Pierce off the waiver wire. But Yeldon solves the problem Peterson would have, and he fits the youth infusion by the Dave Caldwell-Gus Bradley regime. Also: they don’t have to pay him $13 million a year (yet).