Marcus Peters trade is low-risk, high-upside deal for Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens traded for two-time Pro Bowler Marcus Peters on Tuesday, giving them one of the most dangerous secondaries in recent NFL seasons.

A shocking trade was announced Tuesday afternoon when the Los Angeles Rams traded cornerback Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens for backup linebacker Kenny Young. The end of Peters’ tenure comes at an odd time for the struggling Rams, who just put veteran Aqib Talib on injured reserve. The Rams also completely lack viable replacement options in-house, and sold low on a talented cornerback.

Peters’ reputation as an outspoken locker room presence and impending free-agency likely played a factor in this deal. The 26-year-old has now worn out his welcome in Andy Reid’s and Wade Phillip’s locker rooms despite high-quality of play. But this is simply a half-season rental for the Ravens if the trade turns out to bust.

That doesn’t seem likely, though. Despite social media groans about Peters’ coverage ability, he’s been an excellent man coverage corner in his career. He’s finished in the top-10 of my man coverage charts in each of the last four seasons, which specializes in tracking positioning throughout the apex of routes. His bad plays are rare, yet he still has the reputation of being a gambler from his rookie season.

These misguided takes aside, Peters’ Rams tenure had been much better after Talib’s re-entrance into the lineup in Week 12 of 2018. He’s allowed only 16 receptions in man in 2019, which certainly runs counter to the narrative that he’s bad or lost effectiveness.

Though his incredible turnover rate slowed drastically, he’s been reliable in man assignments. The biggest issue in Los Angeles for both Peters and Talib often had more to do with poor safety play than their own mistakes.

For Baltimore, this trade likely a home run. Their second cornerback across from star Marlon Humphrey situation has been a disaster despite expectations. Brandon Carr finally looks his age and Jimmy Smith hasn’t played since the Miami game. There was a major need for a legitimate second corner.

They now have the ability to replicate an ideal corner pairing. Peters is best in off-coverage across from a press-man, and the Ravens are generally happy to run this. And in case you forgot, Earl Thomas is lurking over the top.

Though Thomas may have lost a step in coverage this year, expect the Ravens to push Peters into playmaker mode. He should take chances at the risk of losing in his routes because he has Thomas to protect him. Even if he doesn’t, the Ravens now have two elite man coverage options.

The worst-case for Baltimore is Peters struggles and they let him walk in free agency. But Young was benched last year and was a non-factor for the team. They could recoup as much as a third-round compensatory pick in 2021 if Peters signs a significant deal elsewhere.

His market was likely limited due to his brash personality. That’s fine for a team with a veteran staff taking a flier on a star talent. Phillips was unable to cash-in on a defense that looked super talented on paper in Peters’ two years with the Rams, and that’s a damming look for him.

The Ravens don’t need to do much schematically to integrate Peters. They can continue running Cover 3 and Cover 4 looks while mixing in Cover 1 man. His biggest weaknesses can be significant, though.

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Peters has historically struggled passing off defenders in pattern match assignments, which suggests the communication or reads are off. This isn’t always on him but the communication breakdowns that involve him are more of a trend than coincidence.

His tackling effort is also suspect. Though he’ll fill his run lane and direct traffic back inside, he wants little part of the contact. He’ll only jump in for a strip or gang tackle with regularity.

Nevertheless, this is a home run for Baltimore, and continues a tough stretch since the Super Bowl for the Rams. Not getting the most out of a potentially legendary ballhawk is a stain on Phillips’ tenure. Now the Ravens have the chance to capitalize on two young and extremely talented corners.

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