Ricky Dimon
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Just about every team in the NFL could use cornerback Patrick Peterson. After all, he has been one of the league’s best shutdown corners throughout his seven-plus seasons. This is a guy who has made 23 interceptions, including two this year—and a whopping seven during the 2012 campaign. He has the capability to single-handedly take over games both on defense and with his punt-retuning skills. Having previously demanded a trade from the moribund Arizona Cardinals earlier this month, Peterson now insists that he is willing to stay put. But that does not mean the Cardinals would turn a blind eye to a tantalizing offer. Here are three teams, among many, who should still be willing to pull the trigger:
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs own the best record in the AFC despite being ranked dead last in total defense. That’s right; Kansas City is 7-1 even though it generously allows opponents to rack up 435.3 yards per contest, more than any other team. It is surrendering 304.8 passing yards per game (better than only Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Cincinnati). Granted, part of the reason for such numbers is that Patrick Mahomes and the offense are putting up so many points and consistently giving K.C. comfortable leads—thus forcing opponents to air it out early and often. But it’s no secret that the defense stinks and must improve prior to potential showdowns against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship and the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles
At 4-4 and 1.5 games behind Washington in the NFC East, Philadelphia is staying afloat but also in need of a jolt. That is the perfect storm to drive a team toward making a major move. And the Eagles have the resources to do it. They currently own 11 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft (more than any other team) and could part with either CB Ronald Darby or CB Jalen Mills in a deal with Arizona. Although Darby and Mills are serviceable, Peterson would constitute a considerable upgrade. Philadelphia is a decent 14th in total defense (355.4 yards per game), but it is struggling down at 25th in passing defense (269.1 yards per game).
Pittsburgh Steelers
This is not the kind of feared Pittsburgh defense of eras gone by. The Steelers are displaying a bend-but-don’t-break unit that is allowing 380.2 yards per game (23rd in the NFL), including 282.3 through the air (27th). Artie Burns has struggled at cornerback, and pairing Peterson alongside Joe Haden would really put the clamps down on opposing offenses. In a competitive AFC North between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore, the Steelers may be tempted to upgrade now. Their cap situation, however, is a possible roadblock.
The New Orleans Saints had been candidates until they traded for former Giants cornerback Eli Apple last week. With New Orleans off the list, the Patriots are perhaps the fourth-best candidates. They have a well-documented history of going after just about every veteran Pro Bowler who is available and their defense is underwhelming. Cap space, however, may be a problem. Money is no such issue for the Houston Texans, who would cement their status as AFC South favorites with Peterson in a secondary that plays behind a line featuring J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. That would also pit Peterson with fellow LSU Tiger Tyrann Mathieu.
