Las Vegas Raiders 2023 free agency: Time to bring in Marcus Peters
By Jason Willis
With a perpetual hole at cornerback, the Raiders will have a chance to rectify that this off-season. Marcus Peters could be the answer to the teams’ woes at the position.
As all members of Raider Nation know, the Las Vegas Raiders defense has been a problem for ages. Not capable of creating turnovers or getting stops, the team lacks talent and quality coaching on that side of the ball. In 2022, this was no different as they placed 26th overall in points allowed.
While they did have a defensive player of the year candidate in Maxx Crosby, the rest of the group left much to be desired. Unfortunately for Las Vegas, spending big on pass-rusher Chandler Jones did not work out as he recorded just 4.5 sacks across fifteen games.
As such, the pass rush struggled to help out the backend.
At cornerback, the team made two big additions when they traded for Rock Ya-Sin and signed Anthony Averett. Ya-Sin was solid and would start nine games finishing with a PFF grade of 65.7. For Averett, he only appeared in seven games.
With both Ya-Sin and Averett skated to be free agents this off-season, the team will need to make some additions to the position. Luckily for them, there is a solid group of veteran defensive backs available.
With Marcus Peters available, Las Vegas should make acquiring him a priority in 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders 2023 free agency: Time to bring in Marcus Peters
Bringing in Marcus Peters
After being selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Marcus Peters is entering his ninth season in the NFL. Thus far, he has made a name for himself as one of the best ballhawks in the league.
In fact, he has a whopping 32 interceptions through eight seasons and has led the NFL in interception return yards three separate times.
In 2023, the Raiders finished dead last in the league in interceptions with a measly six. As one of the NFL’s resident ballhawks, it would not be surprising to see him lead the team in takeaways in his first season.
In Las Vegas, Peters would certainly be the teams starting cornerback across from Nate Hobbs with Amik Robertson in the slot. Despite being thirty years old, Peters would give the Raiders the best cornerback room they have had in a while. Furthermore, he could try the transition to safety if he loses a step at cornerback.
After years of terrorizing the Raiders while a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Peters is now a perfect fit for the team. A ballhawk who can give the team’s high-powered offense more possessions, he gives the defense some needed playmaking ability. While they would still have to add depth and younger talent, Peters is a perfect fit for the Las Vegas Raiders.