The opinion among NFL media analysts was almost unanimous -- and so was the voting. The Chiefs found a lockdown corner in Marcus Peters -- their first-round pick (No. 18) out of the University of Washington.
Peters helped the team roll to 11 straight wins, reversing fortunes and earning the fine people of Kansas City their first playoff victory since the 1990s. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton is happy and for good reason. Finding a great, instinctive cover corner is not easy and Peters fits the bill.
"He tied for first in the league in interceptions and led in pass breakups. I thought he had the physical capabilities to be one of the better corners in the league coming out of the draft, and he was just that," NFL Media analyst Willie McGinest said this week. "He's aggressive, plays the ball like a receiver and has a great skill set."
Added Steve Mariucci: "Peters was instrumental in the Chiefs' 11-game winning streak. He played corner on an island in a man-to-man scheme, which is very difficult for anyone -- yet, as a rookie, he did a great job."
Peters finished the season with eight interceptions, 280 interception return yards and two touchdowns. He broke up 26 passes, forced a fumble and logged 50 tackles -- an incredible display of versatility.
Peters led voting by a significant margin with 45. The next highest player was Buffalo's Ronald Darby (4 votes) and Jets defensive end Leonard Williams (1). Still, the world shouldn't be sleeping on Darby, either.
