Doug McSchooler/Associated Press
Former Washington Huskies football star Marcus Peters is arguably the most talented cornerback prospect entering the 2015 NFL draft. As April 30's first round draws closer, information is surfacing with regard to where Peters may land in the pros.
Continue for updates.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported Feb. 21 that the Packers, among others, were set to hold interviews with Peters at the NFL Scouting Combine, with Packer Report's Bill Huber corroborating.
College Football 24/7 reported Peters' 40-yard dash times in Indianapolis:
The surface-level red flags are obvious in Peters' case because he was dismissed from the Washington Huskies football program in 2014 due to repeated clashes with coaches, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude.
Reuben Frank of CSN Philadelphia reported Peters' take on his off-field issues at the combine:
They want to know the character. Am I a hothead? Which is false. I made some immature decisions and I live from them and I learn from them and I grow as a man.
I live and I learn from it, you know? There are going to be things that aren't going to go right, but I went through one of the worst things that could happen to me in life. I got kicked off my team, I wasn't able to finish out my college career with my teammates and I own up to that and I man up to that and I just move forward.
Peters owned up to his mistakes and also told Sports Illustrated's Don Banks how he repaired his relationship with Washington coach Chris Petersen:
I had a real good conversation with coach Petersen. We sat down and we talked about everything that happened. I sincerely apologized to him again for what I put him and the team through throughout the year. But it was a good conversation and he's working me into the pro day.
Bleacher Report draft analyst Brent Sobleski weighed in on Peters' participation in Washington's showcase for NFL personnel men:
So perhaps the character questions about Peters aren't too troublesome anymore. Presuming those issues are in his past, Peters has a real chance to be the first player off the board at his position.
Peters' raw skills in man coverage are among the best in this year's class. He thrives with a physical style of play, isn't afraid to deliver a hit and competes well with receivers for the ball. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller believes Peters is a lot like former South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore entering the NFL.
Tremendous athleticism allows Peters to be a bit unrefined in technique yet still recover enough to break up most passes thrown his way. If he can work on the finer points of his game, there's no reason Peters can't be a Pro Bowl-caliber NFL star.
Landing in the right situation is critical to any incoming rookie's success. Although falling in the draft from the aforementioned demerits would cost Peters some money, he might go to a stable winning team.
But based on the need for cornerbacks being as prominent as ever, it's hard to envision a talent like Peters falling too far. The latest news on Peters may be a classic case of pre-draft deception or misinformation.
Whatever the case may ultimately be, Peters is an elite cornerback prospect. That should reveal itself on draft day when he hears his name called earlier than most.
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