Ravens: Could Marcus Peters’ past demons haunt Baltimore in 2021?
By Chris Cox
Rebuilding with the Ravens
Eric DeCosta and the Baltimore Ravens knew what they were doing when they traded for Marcus Peters. At his peak, Peters has shown he can be among the NFL’s elite cornerbacks, a turnover machine who can change the momentum of a game with one well-timed play.
The value of Marcus Peters at his peak dwarfs the value of the draft pick and player that the Ravens surrendered.
Although Peters’ time in Baltimore has, thus far, solidified the Ravens’ cornerback group, his stops at the University of Washington, Kansas City, and Los Angeles reveal that his positive impact may be short-lived.
As discussed earlier, Peters’ PFF rating dropped significantly from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, a couple of minor incidents during his Ravens tenure, both of which resulted in fines, could foreshadow future troubles.
During a 2019 win at Buffalo, he jumped into the stands and drank a fan’s beer. Last season, he appeared to spit into Cleveland wide receiver Jarvis Landry’s face.
That said, Peters seems to have the support of head coach John Harbaugh.
"“I love him. He’s genuine. He’s as authentic as it gets.”"
Ravens fans appear to love Peters, too, judging by the cheers he receives whenever he picks off an opposing quarterback’s pass.
What does the future hold for Marcus Peters and the Ravens?
The Ravens rely on a strong secondary, as blitz-happy defensive coordinator Wink Martindale loves to use his corners in man-to-man coverage.
If Marcus Peters’ play declines further, or if an off-field issue results in a lengthy suspension or, even worse, forces the Ravens to trade him, this season could go off the rails in a hurry.
That said, Peters’ off-field issues while on the Ravens have been relatively minor. The coaching staff and his teammates appear to support him, as do the fans.
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As long as he maintains his composure while letting his passion drive his successful play, Marcus Peters should continue providing strong value as the Ravens attempt to make Super Bowl LVI.