6 Ravens players who could be cap casualties this offseason

2. Marcus Peters, CB, Ravens

I don’t expect the Ravens to release Marcus Peters. Teams just don’t go around releasing Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks. But with a whopping $15.5 million cap hit in 2022, the Ravens could look to move him.

Peters was forced to miss the entire 2021 season after tearing his ACL just weeks before the start of the campaign. It was a brutal blow to a Ravens defense that dealt with injuries all year.

When healthy, Peters is an integral part of Baltimore’s secondary with the ability to create a turnover on any given play. He’s a really good player, but the Ravens need money.

Releasing Peters would free up $10 million in cap space and carry a dead cap hit of $5.5 million. The good part is, trading him would have the same effect.

There would likely be no shortage of suitors for the three-time Pro Bowler if the Ravens were to explore their trade options. Even coming off a torn ACL, Peters could bring back decent draft capital.

That being said, whatever they get in return for Peters won’t be worth his value. Not even close. Not only is Peters coming off the ACL injury, but he has a large salary and is entering the final year of his deal.

Maybe the Ravens could consider a restructure here as well, but it’s hard to imagine Peters returning in 2022 at his current price tag.

The Ravens need to create cap space, and there isn’t a contract on the roster with more financial flexibility than Peters’.