Training camps will start up in the coming days, and free agent defensive back Patrick Peterson hopes to join a new team as he gears up for his 14th NFL season. A first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the LSU product and three-time All-Pro spent most of his career at cornerback before transitioning to a hybrid role with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The future Hall of Famer played both cornerback and safety last year and should field some interest in both positions.
Even though he’s currently a free agent, Patrick Peterson will be a full-go when he eventually signs with a new team. During a recent episode of his All Things Covered podcast, Peterson said he’ll “definitely be ready” when he lands with a team and seems open to playing safety or cornerback. However, earlier reports indicated that he’d prefer cornerback.
The sad reality is that, if Patrick Peterson wants to sign as a free agent, he might need to do it as a full-time safety. Peterson is one of the best cornerbacks of his generation, but age comes for us all and the LSU product started to show signs of slowing down over the past few seasons. Safety doesn’t require the same elite athleticism, and Peterson could use his incredible football IQ to compromise for his diminished physical gifts. Players like Charles Woodson have successfully made similar transitions in the past and, if he’s up for it, the Chiefs and Saints could be the best destinations.
The Chiefs have one of the most complete rosters in football, but there is always room for improvement. Kansas City is going for their third Super Bowl title in as many seasons, and they could use a free agent like Patrick Peterson to help reach that goal. Last year, the team had one of the league’s better defenses led by the elite cornerback duo of Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed. Now, with Sneed on the Titans, this secondary could use some more depth.
Looking at the cornerback position, Kansas City believes that Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson can start opposite McDuffie. However, both players are relatively inexperienced and it wouldn’t hurt to add a free agent veteran like Patrick Peterson. The cornerback is not the player he once was, but he can provide some much-needed support in case the two youngsters aren’t up for the added responsibility.
If Williams and Watson can handle starting work, then Patrick Peterson can be a reliable free agent safety. The duo of Justin Reid and Bryan Cook aren’t too special, and Peterson should find a home on a defense that should face plenty of passing looks. With $15 million in cap space, the Chiefs could easily add him to the roster.
Assuming they don’t trade Marshon Lattimore, the New Orleans Saints do not need another cornerback. Lattimore remains a reliable starter and second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry has plenty of promise. What this team could use, however, is a safety, and Patrick Peterson might be the best option left on the free agent market.
Tyrann Mathieu remains a solid starter, but someone must step up opposite him. Recently signed Roderic Teamer is an unremarkable journeyman and 2023 fifth-round pick Jordan Howden didn’t do all that much in limited work as a rookie. Dennis Allen must get this team to the playoffs if he wants to keep his job, and signing a free agent like Patrick Peterson to shore up one of the biggest weaknesses on the roster might be the difference in a weak NFC South.
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