The Baltimore Ravens have acquired CB Marcus Peters in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Baltimore sent LB Kenny Young and a fifth-round pick in the deal.
Folks, let’s talk value in adding Marcus Peters.
Young found his name on the inactive list Week 5 against the Steelers and saw the field for 6 Special Teams snaps Week 6 against the Bengals. Prior to the trade, the Ravens had two fifth-round picks to deal with thanks to the brilliant Kaare Vedvik trade with the Minnesota Vikings. Furthermore, recent signings Josh Bynes and LJ Fort have been solid filling the Ravens’ LB void.
I’m no expert, but at this price, the trade makes perfect sense.
As for the former first-team All-Pro’s value, this tweet basically sums it up:
.@marcuspeters was traded to the @Ravens
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 15, 2019
Ravens will play @Rams in Los Angeles in Week 12 (MNF)
Peters leads all players in INT since entering the NFL in 2015 (24)
According to @PFF, Peters has a 5.5 pct INT rate in coverage since 2018 (3rd-highest among CB, min. 80 targets)
Pro Football Focus ranks Marcus Peters as the 13th-best CB this year despite receiving heavy criticism for poor tackling and coverage. It will be interesting to see how his skill set fits into the Ravens defense.
This move does little to solve the Ravens’ injury and depth problems at Safety, but Baltimore has not been entirely inactive on that front.
In the wake of DeShon Elliott’s season-ending knee injury, the Ravens have re-signed Bennett Jackson. Jackson was released by the Ravens in August and has spent the past 2 preseasons in Baltimore. Although inexperienced, Bennett’s knowledge of the system could be beneficial as he may be thrust into his first regular-season action in Seattle.
Marcus Peters playing alongside a budding superstar in Marlon Humphrey—who has played lock down defense as of late—will be scary for opposing offenses. At least on paper. Nonetheless, as long as he meets the standard of playing better defense than what we’ve seen out of Maurice Canady, Marcus Peters will be a good addition.
Marcus Peters comes to Baltimore in the last year of his rookie contract. With Brandon Carr and Jimmy Smith likely to walk at the end of the season, the cap room would be open to lock-down Peters for a long-term deal. Securing him long-term would be another tally in Eric DeCosta’s favor in his first year as the Ravens GM.