Rams agree to trade for Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters & Sign Offensive Tackle (and Maryland Terp) Michael Dunn, Diary of A Ram Fan
Rams agree to trade for Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters
The Los Angeles Rams agreed to acquire All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, a development that was first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Details of the trade, which won't be processed until the start of the new league year on March 14, have yet to be disclosed. But the Chiefs are expected to receive a package of draft picks in return, not players, according to Schefter's sources.
Peters steps in as the Rams' primary cornerback, which might spell the end of Trumaine Johnson's tenure with the team. Peters, a two-time Pro Bowler who was named first-team All-Pro in 2016, has compiled an NFL-leading 19 interceptions since being drafted 18th overall three years ago.
The 25-year-old will cost $3.05 million towards the salary cap this coming season, which is less than a fifth of Johnson's cap hit last year. The Rams would then have until May 3 to pick up Peters' fifth-year option for 2019, which projects to roughly $9 million.
The Rams entered the offseason with a desperate need at cornerback. Johnson, who spent the past two years playing under the franchise tag, and slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Their No. 2 cornerback, Kayvon Webster, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in December. And beyond them there isn't much depth.
The Peters acquisition gives the Rams salary-cap flexibility, which they can use on pending free agents like safety Lamarcus Joyner and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. It also helps them sign defensive tackle Aaron Donald to an extension that is expected to eventually make him the game's highest-paid defensive player.
Just as important, though, it provides a shutdown corner for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Peters is the first player since Ed Reed (from 2002 to 2004) with five interceptions in each of his first three seasons, even though opposing quarterbacks have continually shied away from him. From 2015 to 2017, Peters' combination of sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions (25) easily led the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
But Peters also joins the Rams with some character concerns. He was thrown off his collegiate team at Washington for an altercation with an assistant coach. In December, he was suspended by the Chiefs for one game after tossing an official's penalty flag into the crowd and then retreating to the locker room without being ejected during a game against the New York Jets.
Peters was also seen at different times on the sidelines last season either shouting at defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. In at least one instance, he directed expletives at a group of fans behind the Chiefs' bench. The Rams are hopeful that a change of scenery can help fix that.
The Rams have added another piece to their offensive line rotation, signing offensive tackle Michael Dunn. Dunn rejoins the Rams after spending part of the 2017 offseason program and preseason with the organization.
The Maryland product started 48 games over his career in College Park, primarily at left tackle. He was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2015 and 2016 — helping running back Ty Johnson to become the ninth 1,000-yard rusher in Maryland history.
Dunn will provide added depth to the Rams roster as the team gears up for their offseason workouts beginning in April.
Details of the trade, which won't be processed until the start of the new league year on March 14, have yet to be disclosed. But the Chiefs are expected to receive a package of draft picks in return, not players, according to Schefter's sources.
Peters steps in as the Rams' primary cornerback, which might spell the end of Trumaine Johnson's tenure with the team. Peters, a two-time Pro Bowler who was named first-team All-Pro in 2016, has compiled an NFL-leading 19 interceptions since being drafted 18th overall three years ago.
The 25-year-old will cost $3.05 million towards the salary cap this coming season, which is less than a fifth of Johnson's cap hit last year. The Rams would then have until May 3 to pick up Peters' fifth-year option for 2019, which projects to roughly $9 million.
The Rams entered the offseason with a desperate need at cornerback. Johnson, who spent the past two years playing under the franchise tag, and slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Their No. 2 cornerback, Kayvon Webster, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in December. And beyond them there isn't much depth.
The Peters acquisition gives the Rams salary-cap flexibility, which they can use on pending free agents like safety Lamarcus Joyner and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. It also helps them sign defensive tackle Aaron Donald to an extension that is expected to eventually make him the game's highest-paid defensive player.
Just as important, though, it provides a shutdown corner for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Peters is the first player since Ed Reed (from 2002 to 2004) with five interceptions in each of his first three seasons, even though opposing quarterbacks have continually shied away from him. From 2015 to 2017, Peters' combination of sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions (25) easily led the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
But Peters also joins the Rams with some character concerns. He was thrown off his collegiate team at Washington for an altercation with an assistant coach. In December, he was suspended by the Chiefs for one game after tossing an official's penalty flag into the crowd and then retreating to the locker room without being ejected during a game against the New York Jets.
Peters was also seen at different times on the sidelines last season either shouting at defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. In at least one instance, he directed expletives at a group of fans behind the Chiefs' bench. The Rams are hopeful that a change of scenery can help fix that.
The Maryland product started 48 games over his career in College Park, primarily at left tackle. He was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2015 and 2016 — helping running back Ty Johnson to become the ninth 1,000-yard rusher in Maryland history.
Dunn will provide added depth to the Rams roster as the team gears up for their offseason workouts beginning in April.
Diary Of A Ram Fan. A satirical look at more than 75 years of Football's Rams history, combined with discussions of American Exceptionalism and almost 50 years of personal experience in the life of a Rams Fan. The history parallels and intertwines life to form a humorous, yet serious look at American History, World History, an American Football team, and Political Science.
