Baltimore Ravens Acquire Cornerback Marcus Peters
Multiple sources are now reporting the Baltimore Ravens have signed Cornerback Marcus Peters of the Los Angeles Rams. Peters started every game for the Super Bowl Rams last year as well as starting every game this year. Peters has been used predominately in a zone defense with the Rams so will excel in the mostly man defense of the Ravens.
The Ravens have traded Kenny Young, a second year linebacker, to the Rams along with a fifth round pick in next years draft. Young had not performed as expected during the preseason forcing the Ravens to plan on starting undrafted free agent Chris Board until he suffered a concussion and Young replaced him. After underperforming in the first couple games, the Ravens sought out help from free agents Josh Bynes and LJ Fort and Young has been inactive the last two weeks. It is fair to say that General Manager Eric DeCosta has been working on this trade for awhile and perhaps Young was inactive to prevent injury prior to trade.
Peters will join Marlon Humphrey, Jimmy Smith and Earl Thomas in what is shaping up to be a potent secondary. After recent losses the Ravens have had to strengthen their secondary and after signing Bennett Jackson from the Jets practice squad earlier today, completed this trade adding two pieces to their secondary. Many fans were hoping for a pass rusher but the addition of Peters will allow the rush additional time as the secondary will now be able to help the line with coverage sacks.
Peters is in his final year of his rookie contract and I look for GM DeCosta to try and get him locked down into a long term contract as soon as possible. With the losses of Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr imminent next year, keeping Peters should be a priority for the Ravens. Young is a second year player who is developing and could turn into quite a talent in the NFL. Add to that, NFL.com is reporting that the deal also includes an undisclosed pick in the upcoming draft though others have reported it is a fifth round.
With this addition the Ravens are hoping to stabilize an injury riddled secondary and slow down opponents passing attacks. Peters will also provide valuable information on the Rams defense as the Ravens prepare to see them in the upcoming weeks. The secondary of Peters, Humphrey, Smith and Thomas should scare most quarterbacks and offensive coordinators have a new piece to have to game plan against.
Ravens Press Release
“The Baltimore Ravens have acquired CB Marcus Peters from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for LB Kenny Young and an undisclosed draft pick, pending the passing of player physicals.
Here are several notes on the 6-0, 195 pound Peters:
A five-year NFL veteran, Peters has been named to two Pro Bowls (2015-2016), also earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2016. In 2015, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Seeing action in 67 career games (all starts) Peters has played for the Kansas City Chiefs (2015-2017) and the Los Angeles Rams (2018-2019).
Since he entered the NFL in 2015 Peters has produced an NFL best 24 interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns (tied, CB Aqib Talib, for the NFL’s most). Peters’ 24 picks since 2015 are eight more than the second-best players (CB Reggie Nelson and CB Darius Slay – 16)
Peters has also registered 208 tackles (172 solo), six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries (returning one for a touchdown). He has produced 67 career passes defensed.
In his rookie season (2015) while with Kansas City, Peters eight interceptions tied S Reggie Nelson for the NFL’s most.
This season, Peters has played in six games, producing 14 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and four passes defensed.
Peters was originally selected by the Chiefs in the first round (18th overall) of the 2015 draft.”
