Marcus

Peters

There was probably a bit of a “business move” aspect to this decision. As The Athletic’s Vic Tafur points out, Peters was on pace to hit contract incentives that would have earned him an additional $1.5 million this season. The veteran cornerback was benched in Week 12’s loss to the Chiefs, and now heads to waivers where any team can claim him. Peters, 30, has played on 732 defensive snaps this season, allowing 35 receptions for 356 yards and three touchdowns while breaking up four passes. He also recorded a pick six in Week 8 against the Lions. With plenty still left in the tank, Peters should be able to help a contending team for a playoff stretch, even if it’s just as added depth.

Peters was listed as limited the final two practices to close out the week. The veteran corner was a DNP on Wednesday, but that absence may have had just as much to do with a veteran’s rest day as it did his knee injury. Still a proven playmaker, Peters has earned a PFF coverage grade of 75.3 and notched a pick-six in Week 8 against the Lions. Barring anything unexpected, we’d bank on Peters playing in Week 10 against the Jets.

Peters has been a solid offseason pickup for the Raiders, scoring on a pick-six back in Week 8. The 30-year-old has started for Las Vegas and a Week 10 absence would be a hit to the Raiders secondary. LB Divine Deablo (ankle) also did not practice for the Raiders defense on Wednesday.

A union between Peters and the Raiders felt inevitable after the two sides spent the last several months speaking with one another. Peters, 30, has spent the last four seasons with the Ravens but missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL. When he returned for the 2022 season, the two-time All-Pro appeared in 13 games and earned a PFF coverage grade of 69.5. Peters allowed 44 receptions for 519 yards and five touchdowns last season and forced just one interception. He should have no trouble earning snaps in a secondary that allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game last season.

Peters will visit and work out for the Raiders on Monday. It will be his second time in Vegas this offseason with the first coming all the way back in May. Peters was limited to 13 games in 2022 because of a calf issue. He defended eight passes and notched one interception last year. Though at 30 years old he may be past his peak, Peters is still a solid option for any team in need of help in their secondary. He would take on a starting role in Las Vegas if he signs with them.

Monday’s visit with the Raiders marks the first known visit between Peters and another team this offseason. The 30-year-old cornerback spent the last four seasons with the Ravens, but there seems to be little interest between the two sides in reuniting for a fifth season. One of the true ballhawks of the league, Peters has 32 career interceptions to his name but managed just one last season while earning a PFF coverage grade of 69.5. His style high-risk, high-reward style of play has resulted in six career pick-sixes, but he’s also allowed 500+ yards and five or more touchdowns in each of his last four seasons. Still, Peters should provide plenty of help to a Raiders secondary that projects to be among the worst in the league.

This comes in response to the recent signing of veteran Rock Ya-Sin. When asked if the addition of Ya-Sin hinted at the team moving on from corner Marcus Peters , Harbaugh responded, “You don’t close the door on good players and good people.” Peters has missed significant time over the previous two seasons and remains an unrestricted free agent, but it sounds like the two sides remain in contact as Baltimore continues its defensive schematic change in the wake of former defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s departure prior to the 2022 season.

It’s back to cornerback depth for the Ravens, who didn’t have Peters in Week 1 and have had to manage his reps in practice all season before he suffered a calf injury in Week 15. He didn’t practice all week. He’s questionable for Week 16 at this point.

Peters departed early in the second half and was ruled out for the remainder of the game early in the fourth quarter. The Ravens also lost DL Calais Campbell in the game.

Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters were also listed as questionable. All three got in full practices on Wednesday and should be able to suit up. The statuses of Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman are far less certain.