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Dallas Cowboys: A case for drafting Marcus Peters

By Stephen Forsha

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Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Marcus Peters runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Since Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was reinstated to the NFL this past week, the rumor mill has been churning for the Dallas Cowboys being one of the teams interested in trading for the veteran running back.

If the Cowboys were to make some sort of deal for the All-Pro running back later this offseason, let’s assume the Cowboys would have to give up their second-round pick to obtain Peterson.

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An expensive price tag, yes, but let’s for the sake of draft strategy say the Cowboys go all-in on Peterson with their second-round choice. That would leave the Cowboys one selection in the first two rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft.

That makes the 27th overall selection more important than ever for the Cowboys franchise who finished 12-4 overall, including an 8-0 road mark.

The Cowboys were one win away from playing in the NFC Championship game, so the few areas they need to improve upon are quite important this draft, especially when combined with the additions (and subtractions) the team has made thus far this offseason.

So for argument’s sake, let’s say the Cowboys were to not have a second-round choice for the fact they obtain the rights to Peterson. What direction should the team go in this draft with their first-round choice … pass rush or cornerback help?

Having a pass rush is great and even needed to a point for the Cowboys, but the fact this team needs help with their defensive backfield, especially great improvement at the cornerback spot, is easily noticeable.

So with that 27th overall selection, the Cowboys should select Marcus Peters of the University of Washington.

Earlier this offseason, I wrote asking if Peters’ past issues with coaches were an issue. This time, I believe if Peters is sitting there when the Cowboys draft in the first round, they must select Peters with this pick.

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post had a very telling stat from Peters’ play when he was on the field the past two seasons:

"“The past two years, he allowed just 38.1 percent of the passes against him to be completed.”"

The case for drafting Peters is pretty simple for the Cowboys. First off, the need for cornerback is just too great for “America’s Team” to pass up on a talented player like Peters.

Measuring in at 6-0, 197 pounds, Peters has the build to be an NFL cornerback, plus his 4.53 40-yard dash speed at the combine and his 37.5 inch vertical jump have to be catching the attention of NFL teams.

Evan Woodbery of Nola.com wrote how ESPN analyst Todd McShay was high on Peters’ NFL talent:

"“He’s the best pure cover corner in the draft,” McShay said Friday in a media conference call. “He has a great ball skills and is a natural play-maker.”"

The article also wrote about Peters’ “behavioral issues,” but let’s be honest here, if there was one franchise that knows how to deal with players who walk the line of questionable choices on or off the field, it is the Cowboys, so the issue of Peters having problems with coaches doesn’t bother my overall thoughts of the player.

In three seasons with the Huskies, Peters totaled 11 interceptions, including five in his second season at the collegiate level. In his third and final year with Washington, Peters played in nine games (was dismissed from the team on Nov. 6), where he finished with 30 total tackles (four for a loss), three interceptions and seven passes defensed.

Even CBSSports.com NFL Draft analyst Dan Brugler believes Peters could become a member of the Cowboys, tweeting this on Friday, April 17:

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com did write about some of the weaknesses of Peters, but he compared him to Aqib Talib of the Denver Broncos:

"“Not as smooth in coverage as former Husky Desmond Trufant. He can get too grabby downfield and has struggled with inconsistency … Just as Talib did when coming out of Kansas, Peters comes with off-field concerns but there is no questioning either cornerback’s length, aggression and ball-skills.”"

Peters’ production and potential on the field is just too much of a gamble to pass up, even more so than not drafting him at all. All of us have changed from the person we were in our early 20s, and I doubt Peters is any different.

There is plenty “good and bad” about Peters, but this will be the “second chance” for the cornerback, and if he’s smart, he’ll keep a low profile once a team drafts him.

If there ever was a team that was king of the “second chance,” that teams resides in Arlington, Texas and play their games at AT&T Stadium.

Peters is a very compelling draft choice, and if he does repair his overall attitude from where it was when he last played for the Huskies, then Peters could become a very solid and productive player in the NFL.

Next: The Case for Drafting Carl Davis

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