:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58799255/898114418.jpg.0.jpg)
In an absolute shocker of a trade, the Los Angeles Rams are on the verge of acquiring Kansas City Chiefs CB Marcus Peters.
Heading toward free agency with CB Trumaine Johnson as well as Nickell Robey-Coleman on expiring contracts and Kayvon Webster still nursing an Achilles injury from early December in Week 14, the Rams had a major hole at CB. They decided to go after the young stud in Kansas City who was apparently on the trade market after ownership and the coaching staff soured on him.
That begs the question, how does Peters fit with the Rams?
In three years in the NFL, Peters has amassed 19 total interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and six forced fumbles. Peters has always been known to be an absolute ball-hawk, but take a look at how truly dominant he is at finding the ball and securing it:
This is what the @RamsNFL are getting. @marcuspeters IS that good.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 23, 2018
via @NFLResearch pic.twitter.com/RkOjNTvDVt
Per @NFLResearch, since Marcus Peters entered the league in 2015 no player has more interceptions (19) or passes defensed (55), and his 51.9 completion % allowed is the 5th best.
— Alex Gelhar (@AlexGelhar) February 23, 2018
Those statistics are truly astonishing. Peters is a plus-solid coverage corner who can play both in man and zone with his ability to flip his hips and vision allowing him to be useful in both categories. With solid size at 6’0, Peters will never really truly be “outmatched” by a larger receiver. Peters will likely travel the field with opposing WR1’s in Los Angeles.
Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton had Peters rank as the 5th best outside CB in the NFL during the 2018 season, citing:
The most dangerous cornerback in the NFL resides in Kansas City. Third-year corner Marcus Peters continued on his Hall of Fame trajectory with another five interceptions, nine pass breakups and three forced fumbles. He’s massively reduced the big plays he allowed in his rookie season and is seeing less targets, yet his production remains high considering the chances he’s getting. The lone weakness on his resume remains his tackling effort, which is often more of a strip attempt than staying genuine in his form.
Wow. A Hall of Fame trajectory is quite the way to elaborate on how Peters has fared thus far in the NFL.
I took a look at multiple view points on this deal. Have a look at what I think General Manager Les Sneads’ thought process may have been:
I also look at this in another view.
— Sosa (@SosaKre) February 23, 2018
1) The Rams get an upgrade at CB (for cheap for 2 years).
2) Will get a comp pick back now for letting Tru walk (next year).
So you moved some pick(s), got younger, better, and minimize the damage by getting a comp back. Very Belicheck-esque
And:
I'll say this now. If the Rams were targeting a CB at 23, you're NOT going to draft one as good as Marcus Peters is. Done deal.
— Sosa (@SosaKre) February 23, 2018
As great as this trade is for it’s on-field merits and contractually, there will also be some repercussions for the Rams across the bow. Peters will be looking for a major contract when his deal expires. Once the Rams decide to pay guys like DE Aaron Donald and RB Todd Gurley, that won’t leave a ton of money laying around for other players. Some will eventually have to hit the free agency market.
Still, when you look at all the factors from being extremely weak at the position, grabbing an elite young player in the league and pairing him with maybe the best defensive coordinator ever in Wade Phillips, this move may fare very well with the Rams.
Expect Marcus Peters to excel even further under Wade Phillips for the Rams in 2018.