The first season for the Las Vegas Raiders under general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels didn’t go according to plan. So, they made a lot of moves this offseason in hopes of improving the team’s fortunes on the field.
They were looking to bring in players that better fit the culture they are looking to build. Gone are mainstays such as quarterback Derek Carr and tight end Darren Waller, released and traded to the New York Giants, respectively.
The culture that Ziegler and McDaniels are attempting to build is essentially a clone of the New England Patriots, as their biggest additions all have ties to their old team. Quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer both spent time in New England, along with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
In Year 2 of the new regime, hopefully, better results are had. But, the job certainly isn’t done when it comes to upgrading the roster. There are still a few moves that can be done, with ESPN NFL insider Field Yates believing the biggest one being signing cornerback, Marcus Peters.
“When you look at the Raiders’ cornerback depth chart, it suggests that they subscribe to the theory that it’s easier to cover up a thin secondary with an excellent pass rush than the inverse. I agree but also think they need more playmaking at cornerback — and Peters is an ideal candidate. He has already visited the team, and while not the same player he was just a few years back, he’s still an opportunistic ball hawk who can bring an infectious confidence to any team. He broke up six passes last season with Baltimore after missing 2021 with a torn ACL.”
Peters has been a premier playmaker at the cornerback position for most of his career. 2022 was the first time in his career that he failed to intercept at least three passes in a season. Part of that could have assuredly been from having to shake off the rust after missing the 2021 season because of injury.
In the AFC West, the Raiders are going to be battling it out with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson. A poor pass defense would quickly derail the team’s hopes in 2023 as those teams all have the weapons to feast on a weak secondary.
Taking a look at the Raiders’ depth chart at cornerback, a veteran of Peters’ caliber would be a huge boost. Going into the season with Nate Hobbs, Duke Shelley, David Long Jr., Brandon Facyson and rookie Jakorian Bennett would be a recipe for disaster.
