Cowboys Linked to CB Patrick Peterson as 'Top 3 Landing Spot'
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have cornerback desires, and Patrick Peterson has always dreamed of playing in Big D.
With the news that Minnesota is unlikely to retain the veteran Pro Bowler, can his dream become a reality in 2023?
The Pro Bowler and play-making Trevon Diggs will be at one corner.
And the other?
As it happens, Diggs is on-record as saying that Peterson is the reason he wears jersey No. 7. So there is quite an "admiration society'' vibe here.
Meanwhile ... Vikings cornerback Peterson enters free agency (again), it's worth noting that the 32-year-old has never hidden his desire to play in Dallas.
“Growing up,” Peterson said in Dec. 2021, “my dreams were to be a Cowboy. But at the end of the day, that didn’t happen … (but I’ve) still got time on the table because I still got some tread still left on the tires.”
The two-time first team All-Pro clearly has a little more left than just "some tread." Peterson ranked fifth in the NFL in interceptions with five, in 2022, along with having compiled 66 total tackles (three for loss) and 15 passes defensed.
Peterson, the eight-time Pro Bowler, has his name involved here as Dallas is being listed by some as a "top-three destination.'' And as it happens, the Cowboys happen to have a need at the position heading into 2023.
Anthony Brown suffered a torn Achilles in Week 13 and was placed on season-ending injured reserve in December - and his contract is now expiring. Rookie DaRon Bland performed well in his stead, earning five interceptions and seven passes-defensed.
Still, Bland, along with fellow corners Kelvin Joseph and Nashon Wright, would greatly benefit from the presence of a high-performing veteran, capable of providing leadership and commanding respect based on past accomplishments.
At 6-1, 200 pounds, Peterson has the size to be effective in multiple ways. Oh, and he earned the second-best overall and coverage grade of his career in 2022 from Pro Football Focus, with 80.7 and 82.5 marks, respectively. Peterson’s coverage grade ranked fifth among cornerbacks, with his 16.4 percent forced incompletion rate ranking 19th while his 11 defensive stops in coverage tied for 24th.
So he can still play.
We have Dallas currently sitting about $7 to $9 million over the upcoming new salary cap. (No, the Cowboys are not in "Cap Hell.'' Read here.) Peterson's estimated valuation is at an APY of $4 million - an affordable-enough deal.
If Peterson still has the wish to play in Dallas, a prospective pairing should at least be worth pursuing heading into 2023.
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