Pros and cons of the Lions potentially bringing in cornerback Marcus Peters

The Detroit Lions' secondary is struggling, to say the least. Cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Jerry Jacobs are both allowing passer ratings north of 101 this season, Sutton does not have an interception, while Jacobs has a team-high three but has largely struggled otherwise.

On Monday, an intriguing cornerback option became available. The Las Vegas Raiders waived cornerback Marcus Peters. Peters was benched during last Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and after an exchange with interim head coach Antonio Pierce was let go.

Peters was on schedule to earn the $1.5 million in incentives on the one-year deal he signed with the Raiders. So they will avoid that cost by waiving him. But Vic Tafur of The Athletic reported Peters was almost cut earlier in the season, and there have been questions about his tackling effort.

The Lions off course got an up-close at Peters back in Week 8, when had a pick-six off an ill-advised throw by Jared Goff. That is also his only interception this season though.

Pros and cons of Detroit Lions possibly bringing in Marcus Peters

Peters would have to pass through a lot of teams in waivers before the Lions would get him if they've put in a claim. So that reduces the odds they get him, but it's also fair to say a fair chunk of teams higher in the waiver wire priority aren't a great fit for a 30-year old cornerback.

It's easy to consider the Lions and Peters to be a good fit for each other. He'd surely like to play for a contending team, even though the waiver process would remove his choice if someone claims him. The Lions could definitely use his type of ballhawk at cornerback, even if he's not in his prime.

Let's dive into some pros and cons on the idea of Peters becoming a Lion.

Pros
-71.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus this year, which would be good for second among Lions' defensive backs
-Even with Week 12, played 91 percent of the Raiders' defensive snaps so far this year
-11 career postseason games
- 33 career interceptions (7 touchdowns)

Cons
-12 missed tackles this season, 30.0 tackling grade from PFF
-Last multiple INT season was in 2020
-Missed entire 2021 season with a torn ACL, with a notable downturn since
-Attitude issues?

Peters would not necessarily step in a starter for the Lions. Even if Jacobs in particular is begging to be replaced, as he has become the new appealing target for opposing quarterbacks with Will Harris back on the bench. But he would easily supplant Harris from the No. 3 cornerback role, and that would be good.

The Lions value fit, practically above sheer talent when they consider players to bring aboard. There are non-talent/skill reasons Peters might not appeal to them, like effort level (if there's something to that).

But if they can reconcile that kind of stuff, there's a chance the three-time Pro Bowler becomes a Lion if they have a chance to get him. It's worth noting general manager Brad Holmes worked for the Rams when Peters was there in 2018 and part of 2019.