The Baltimore Ravens could sacrifice defense for a huge boost in offense according to this wild trade idea. Would it be worth it?
After suffering a season-ending injury in 2021, Marcus Peters seems prepared to make a comeback in 2022 as one of the most reliable leaders in the Ravens secondary. Yet there has still been some speculation about Peters’ future with the team given his recent injury history.
Despite being considered a top-tier cornerback, Peters could be victim of the Ravens’ cost-cutting moves this offseason — Baltimore can free up around $10 million in cap space by trading Peters, and the team already has a potential replacement in the young Anthony Averett if re-signed.
If the Ravens do decide to put Peters on the market this offseason, the trade possibilities are endless.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently proposed some bold trade packages, one of which involved the Ravens trading Marcus Peters for Amari Cooper:
"“The Baltimore Ravens could use a proven No. 1 receiver. Marquise Brown needed 146 targets just to crack 1,000 yards this past season, and 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman still has a lot to prove after a 515-yard campaign in his rookie year.The Dallas Cowboys could use a lockdown corner to team up with All-Pro corner Trevon Diggs.”"
The Ravens could trade Marcus Peters for Amari Cooper this offseason
Ballentine notes how the trade would work well for each team’s cap situation and that Peters, in particular, would fill a giant position of need at corner for the Cowboys.
Dallas could afford to part with Cooper, as the team already has a WR1 in CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys could additionally re-sign Michael Gallup and Cedrick Wilson after their solid 2021 performances.
In the proposed trade, Baltimore would also fork over a 2022 third-round pick (No. 76 overall) to Dallas, which isn’t ideal for the Ravens’ future preparations. The Ravens need all their draft picks to fortify their offensive and defensive lines, and besides, wide receiver doesn’t land anywhere close to a high priority this season.
The Ravens don’t have a de facto WR1 but they do have reliable pass-catchers in Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, and Mark Andrews. Adding Amari Cooper to the mix would indubitably ignite the passing game, but it would be at the cost of improving other crucial areas.
This isn’t the wisest trade package for the Ravens for a number of reasons, and Baltimore may be better off holding onto Peters and focusing its efforts on smart draft choices.