Chiefs camp 2015: Marcus Peters shines when the pads come on

So, Marcus Peters might have a future. In the first day of Kansas City Chiefs training camp with the pads on, the rookie cornerback intercepted three passes, according to multiple reports. I would have been able to provide immediate commentary, but bad weather forced the team indoors.

Peters reportedly picked off Alex Smith twice on routes near the sideline, per Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star. So what does that mean for Peters and Smith? Well, I see it this way (and perhaps with some bias): Smith does not throw many interceptions, as Derrick Johnson stated yesterday during his press conference. If Peters was able to nab at least two off the starter, this is great news. Here is some more reaction on Twitter:

I reported on Saturday that Peters really impressed me even without pads. He was consistently able to turn his hips and run, mirroring the routes of receivers. We had all heard about his ability to press opponents at the line of scrimmage, but the talent he displayed in the open field was equally impressive to my eyes.

The Chiefs are going to need Peters early and often. Even if Sean Smith wasn’t suspended for the first three games of the season, Peters would likely have been the starter on the other side with Phillip Gaines lining up in the slot. However, with Smith gone until Week 4, Peters is going to be even more vital.

Last year, Kansas City’s defense ranked seventh in yards and second in points allowed. It was a fine unit despite not having Eric Berry for a majority of the season, along with Mike DeVito and Johnson for all but one game. The only negative about this group in the passing game was the lack of turnovers created.

If Peters can continually show that he has the ability to pick off passes, this is a game-changer. Of course, we are one padded practice into camp, so let’s hold our collective horses, but this is a great start.