Marcus Peters‘ Raiders visit occurred nearly a month ago. No deal materialized, leaving Las Vegas with questions at cornerback. While the team signed a few veterans this offseason, all were low-cost additions.
The team is not out on Peters, however, and Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes the team is likely to sign the former All-Pro before training camp (subscription required). The Raiders and Peters have kept in touch since the eight-year veteran’s mid-May visit, and while Tafur adds other corners are on the team’s list, Peters looks to be the most likely veteran move the team will make.
Las Vegas has added Duke Shelley, David Long and Brandon Facyson this offseason. While reasons for optimism exist with this contingent, the Raiders lost their most seasoned starter at the position — Rock Ya-Sin — from another defense that ranked near the NFL’s basement. Patrick Graham‘s first Vegas unit ranked 26th in points allowed — the Raiders’ 20th consecutive season ranked 20th or worse in this area — and 31st in DVOA. Although the Raiders bolstered their pass rush by drafting Tyree Wilson seventh overall, they could use a proven cover man.
An Oakland native who supported the Raiders growing up, Peters has 103 career starts on his resume despite missing the 2021 season. Even with the missed season, Peters’ 32 interceptions still lead the NFL — by four — since his 2015 rookie year. Peters, 30, did not play on a Pro Bowl level last season. He allowed a 113.7 passer rating as the closest defender in coverage — his worst mark as a Raven — and surrendered seven touchdown receptions despite missing four games. But Pro Football Focus did not view the veteran to have slipped too far; the advanced metrics site slotted Peters 49th among corners last year.
The inconsistent 2022 season likely represents the main reason Peters is still available. Although age is now a factor for the veteran ballhawk, he will be two years removed from the ACL tear by Week 1. The 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Peters has two first-team All-Pro nods on his resume and has led the NFL in INT return yardage three times. While the brash boundary corner offers a boom-or-bust play style, he would supply the Raiders with far more experience than any of their current options bring.
Other available outside corners include Ronald Darby, Casey Hayward, William Jackson, Eli Apple and Ahkello Witherspoon. Hayward spent the 2021 season with the Raiders, following Gus Bradley to Vegas. He joins Jackson, Darby and Witherspoon in being offseason cap casualties. Peters should be considered the top option, and it should be expected more Raiders connections will follow closer to training camp.