The Commanders are going for it. Washington swung a trade for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore just hours before the trade deadline. The compensation includes a Washington third- and fourth-round pick. The Commanders will additionally send back New Orleans’ sixth-round pick they received in a previous trade between the two clubs. The Saints will send the 28-year-old Lattimore and a fifth-round pick to the Commanders. It’s a necessary deal for both clubs as the Commanders look to contend in the NFC while the Saints approach a massive rebuild.
For the Commanders, this was one of the best deals they could have made. Lattimore is a high-level player who will instantly boost the secondary. He’s adept at playing man or zone and will fit in perfectly within Dan Quinn’s defense. The team was clearly not concerned with Lattimore’s health status as the CB is currently nursing a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week’s matchup against the Panthers. Due to New Orleans restructuring his contract, Lattimore will play this year on a minimum contract. Adding an elite talent who doesn’t take up much salary is a great way to bolster your roster.
Additionally, acquiring Lattimore keeps him away from the other top teams. Washington reportedly outbid contending teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. The Commanders’ willingness to put forth the best offer speaks volumes about where they feel they are as a team. With rookie Jayden Daniels leading an elite offense, Washington fielding even a competent defense puts them in the mix for the top teams in the NFC.
New Orleans can’t be too pleased to see Lattimore go, but recouping picks during a lost season is the best thing they can do. After stacking seven straight losses, the Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen. It was obvious that other changes were on the horizon after Allen was dismissed. The development of defensive backs was the only area that Allen excelled in. They lost Paulson Adebo for the season due to injury, but still have promising young players in the secondary including Alontae Taylor and rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry.
With Lattimore gone, RB Alvin Kamara is the last remnant from the Saints’ memorable 2017 draft class. We don’t expect the Saints to be done wheeling and dealing. DE Chase Young is on a one-year deal and will have interest across the league. New Orleans is strapped for cash after years of salary-cap gymnastics. This roster will need to be rebuilt through the draft. GM Mickey Loomis has a difficult road ahead.
These two teams face off later this year, with Lattimore and his new team visiting New Orleans in Week 15. That will be a homecoming of sorts for the defensive back who spent his entire career up until now with the Saints.
