Commanders Aquire 4-Time Pro Bowler Lattimore From Saints

The Washington Commanders traded for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore Tuesday, just hours before the trade deadline.

The Commanders sent New Orleans a 3rd, 4th, and 6th round pick, in exchange, the Commanders get Lattimore and a 5th round pick in the 2025 draft.

The move is a major statement by the Commanders, signaling the organization believes the roster is a contender for a deep playoff run this season.

The 28-year-old Lattimore was drafted 11th overall by the Saints in the 2017 NFL draft. He was a starter on Ohio State’s 2014 National Championship team.

Lattimore was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017 and has been named to the Pro Bowl four times. He will immediately become Washington’s top cornerback.

The Commanders will pay Lattimore’s remaining $1.21 million salary this year. The remaining two years of his contract ($16 million and $16.5 million) are not guaranteed, so the team could resign him to a cheaper deal or spread the money out over more seasons.

A deeper look at the deal shows that the 3rd round pick sent to New Orleans is the one they received for wide receiver Jahon Dotson earlier this year and the 6th was originally the Saints, acquired in the John Ridgeway trade. Washington also added its 5th-round pick.

All this means the Commanders, having started the day with nine picks, will have eight in the 2025 draft and the highest ones given up in the deal came from other organizations to begin with.

The defensive secondary has been a major concern for at least two years. Last season, communication breakdowns and a lack of overall talent seemed to doom the unit on multiple occasions. In week three of this year, Bengals wide receiver J’Marr Chase beat the defense twice on long touchdown passes in a game the Commanders ultimately won in overtime. It also allowed Baltimore Ravens receiver Zay Flowers to catch nine passes for 132 yards in a week 6 loss.

Currently, Lattimore is dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Saints game with Carolina. It’s not known whether he will be healthy and ready to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Commanders travel to Philadelphia for a key NFC East game against the Eagles on Thursday, November 14th.