With minicamps having been completed, many teams and free agents are in a holding pattern in the build-up to training camps opening next month. In the case of the Raiders and cornerback Marcus Peters, that appears likely to continue.
The two parties have been connected since May, when the 30-year-old visited Vegas. That led to the expectation a deal could soon follow, something which would come as little surprise given Peters’ track record and the question marks the Raiders face at the CB spot. Nothing has materialized yet, but the two-time All-Pro remains on the teams’ radar.
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal confirms that a Raiders pact remains a distinct possibility for Peters at some point in the summer. He adds that Vegas is in no hurry to make a serious push at finalizing a contract, however, as the team continues to evaluate the three-time Pro Bowler’s health in particular. A 2021 ACL tear has led to questions about his ability to return to the form he showed earlier in his career.
The injury cost Peters the entire 2021 campaign, and its effects appeared to linger this past season. The Washington alum played 14 regular and postseason games, but he was held to a career-low one interception and just six pass deflections. Given his history as one the league’s premier ballhawks, those figures are understandably a cause for concern on the part of the Raiders or other interested teams.
In addition, Peters struggled in coverage in 2022, allowing seven touchdowns as the nearest defender and surrendering a passer rating of 113.7. Each of those totals were the worst in his career, and helped inform the Ravens’ decision to look elsewhere on the veteran corner market by signing Rock Ya-Sin. That move has left Peters on the open market into June, and his wait may continue for many more weeks.
The Raiders signed Duke Shelley, David Long and Brandon Facyson in free agency, then used a fourth-round selection in this year’s draft on Jakorian Bennett. Those newcomers will be tasked with helping the team’s secondary take a needed step forward, but a healthy Peters would provide a starting-caliber option alongside them. The point at which the latter joins the team (if at all) will likely be no earlier than July, though.
I definitely think we could use a vet like Peters. I do like the signing of Shelley and think that Bennett was a steal in the 4th round. Regardless of that I think it would be a smart move to sign Peters to a one year deal if he’s healthy enough to go.