Washington is formally in playoff push mode. Making one of many largest offers of the NFL commerce deadline, the Commanders reached an settlement with the Saints for four-time Professional Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
The Commanders are sending a third spherical choose, a 4th spherical choose, and a sixth spherical choose. A relative steal for a participant of Lattimore’s caliber at a vital place.
There’s no query that 2024 has been a down 12 months for the Saints cornerback. A mix of defensive mismanagement and nagging accidents have resulted in a less-than-stellar season in New Orleans, however offered Lattimore may be wholesome he’ll thrive within the Commanders scheme, which is already among the finest defensive items within the NFL — however one in dire want of assist in the secondary.
In the meantime for the Saints this represents a variety of issues at a time of momentous change. The staff fired head coach Dennis Allen earlier within the week, and have mammoth wage cap challenges shifting ahead. Lattimore ultimately eliminates a few of that concern, although he’ll carry such a big lifeless cap determine in 2025 that the staff will probably be pressured to maintain Derek Carr on the roster, a participant many earmarked to be lower or traded within the offseason.
When wholesome Lattimore is among the finest cornerbacks within the NFL. A participant so monumentally proficient that he will help form a protection. The Commanders wouldn’t have made this deal with out being assured that Lattimore’s hamstring harm is sufficiently small he’ll be capable of compete quickly, and that would very properly make the Commanders one of the crucial harmful groups within the NFC subsequent to the Lions as we method the playoffs.
It’s vital to notice that the Commanders will solely be paying Lattimore the NFL minimal for the rest of 2024 as a result of cornerback’s restructured contract. This implies extra strikes may very well be on the horizon for Washington.
