SANTA CLARA — Cornerback Marcus Peters is coming to the NFC West, and rather than become a 49ers teammate of Jimmy Garoppolo’s, Peters could become a chief hurdle to the division title.
Peters, an Oakland native, will move from the Kansas City Chiefs to the reigning NFC West-champion Los Angeles Rams once a trade can become official March 14, according to multiple reports.
The 49ers, along with the Cleveland Browns, were interested in dealing for Peters despite his combustible personality, the NFL Network reported.
By Peters shipping to the Rams, that further signals Trumaine Johnson’s expected departure from the Rams in free agency. Johnson played the past two seasons on the Rams’ franchise tag, and he could command a record-setting deal.
The 49ers, after making NFL history with Garoppolo’s deal this month, definitely are in the market for a cornerback to join their starting lineup alongside 2017 rookie Ahkello Witherspoon and nickel back K’Waun Williams. Veteran free agent Vontae Davis visited the 49ers last week in his cross-country tour that reached Miami on Thursday, ESPN reported.
Peters, the Chiefs’ 2015 first-round draft pick, made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons and totaled 19 interceptions in three seasons. He had five interceptions last year, but he was suspended for December’s game against the Raiders because of his actions the previous week against the Jets.
The Rams are acquiring Peters for a package of undisclosed draft picks, ESPN report. Earlier this month, the Chiefs agreed to trade former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith to Washington.
