The Los Angeles Rams announced that they have traded cornerback Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for linebacker Kenny Young and an undisclosed 2020 draft pick.
This move comes as a bit of a surprise considering Peters is an essential part of the Rams secondary, especially with Aqib Talib heading to injured reserve and expected to miss at least eight weeks.
Peters was acquired last year in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and totaled 57 tackles, five interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 22 games with the Rams. He has 14 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups through the first six weeks of this season.
After dropping three straight games, it is not surprising to see the Rams make some moves to shake things up. They also acquired offensive lineman Austin Corbett from the Cleveland Browns for an undisclosed 2021 draft pick. It will be interesting to see if this Peters trade is a precursor to another deal though, perhaps for Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey to help address the now-obvious need in the secondary.
Peters is in the final year of his contract and is making just under $6 million this season, so the Rams were able to save some money that can perhaps be spent elsewhere, like a trade for Ramsey, but sending him to Baltimore.
In addition to Young, Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Rams will also be acquiring a fifth-round pick in 2020:
As part of the Marcus Peters-for-Kenny Young trade, the Rams also received a 5th-round pick, per source. Rams would have gotten a 2021 3rd- or 4th-round comp pick for Peters…so instead they get a 5th a year earlier, and a young player they liked last year – and saved money.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2019
If no other trade is made though, Troy Hill and rookie David Long Jr. would likely take over as the team’s starting corners with Nickell Robey-Coleman in the slot.
Young was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2018 out of YCLA and appeared in all 16 regular-season games with three starts as a rookie. He has 64 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles across 21 career games.
The Rams are hosting the Ravens on Nov. 25, so Peters will have a chance to face his former team later in the year.
