New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore has officially been traded to the Washington Commanders ahead of the NFL trade deadline. This move follows some offseason speculation regarding his availability, confirmed by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Saints have acquired several draft picks in return, including a third-round, a fourth-round, and a sixth-round pick, along with a fifth-round pick from the Saints.
During the current season, Lattimore has participated in seven games, recording 30 total tackles and defending two passes. However, his health has been a concern as he suffered a hamstring injury during Week 7 against the Denver Broncos and subsequently aggravated the issue during Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers, forcing him to leave that game. Previously, reports by ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler indicated that multiple teams considered Lattimore a trade candidate, which culminated in the Saints' decision to part ways with him despite his earlier affirmations of commitment to the team.
Lattimore's contract restructuring in January resulted in the Saints converting a significant portion of his salary, allowing for increased cap space in 2024. As a Pro Bowler, his past performances have established him as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league. Drafted 11th overall in 2017, he earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2019 to 2021. However, he has faced health issues over the last two seasons, limiting his playing time. With career statistics boasting 405 total tackles, 88 passes defended, and 15 interceptions, Lattimore is expected to enhance a Commanders defense that is currently ranked fifth in the NFL in terms of passing yards allowed.
