Rams Initially Offered CB Marcus Peters To Browns For G Joel Bitonio

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams initially offered CB Marcus Peters to the Browns for G Joel Bitonio, which led to further trade discussions culminating in last week’s series of deals. 

The Rams thought Browns GM John Dorsey would be interested in reuniting with Peters, who he drafted with the Chiefs, per Schefter. However, Dorsey countered with a deal sending former second-round G Austin Corbett to the Rams for a 2021 fifth-round pick. 

Los Angeles then moved on to its next trade target for Peters, the Ravens, who also were engaged in talks with Jacksonville for CB Jalen Ramsey according to Schefter.

The 2020 fifth-round pick the Rams received from Baltimore helped them feel comfortable sending a 2021 fourth to the Jaguars for Ramsey, as Schefter reports Jacksonville had been asking for an additional third-round pick in addition to the two first-rounders Los Angeles surrendered. 

Peters, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2015. The Rams acquired him from the Chiefs in exchange for a 2018 fourth- and 2019 second-round pick.

Peters was entering the final year of his four-year, $9.584 million contract and set to make a base salary of $1,741,932 for the 2018 season when the Rams picked up his fifth-year option last year. He’ll now make a base salary of $9,069,000 for the 2019 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2020. 

In 2019, Peters has appeared in six games for the Rams and recorded 14 tackles, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, a fumble recovery and four pass defenses.

Bitonio, 28, is a former third-round pick of the Browns back in 2014. He signed a six-year, $51.2 million deal in 2017 that included $17.1 million guaranteed. 

Bitonio is set to make base salaries of $6 million and $8 million over the next two years of the agreement. 

In 2016, Bitonio has started all six games for the Browns so far this season. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 4 guard out of 77 qualifying players.