With plenty of teams still needing cornerbacks after the draft, Marshon Lattimore’s name has been tossed around among the trade rumors involving the New Orleans Saints. While it isn’t likely at this point, there is still plenty of time before the 2024 NFL kick-off, and it could still be a possibility before the trade deadline in the middle of the regular season.
This would be a big move for a potential playoff team if it were to happen, but general manager Mickey Loomis has come out against this idea early in May. Lattimore has been a leader for New Orleans and their defense for the past seven seasons.
The star corner has not been healthy the past two seasons, and with New Orleans having young starters on the roster behind Lattimore, it could be a sign to potentially move on from the veteran ultimately.
New Orleans Saints: Star Cornerback on the Move?
https://gty.im/1243529051
Head coach Dennis Allen talked with Lattimore about “2-3 weeks ago,” according to Saints lead writer/reporter John Hendrix. The chat was “positive and they’re moving forward,” according to Allen when he talked with the media today on May 20th at their Hall of Fame golf tourney.
There have been trade rumors this past offseason, as the 28-year-old has battled multiple injuries, especially in the past two years. Lattimore has only played in 17 games combined from the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
For the past five years, from 2017-2021, the former 4-time Pro Bowl corner has only missed 2-3 games at most each season but in 2023, he was only available for 10 games due to an ankle injury last year. The veteran missed more than half the season the year before and was placed on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney, as he played 7 games in 2022.
This offseason, Lattimore restructured his contract again after doing so in 2023. This turned about $13.7 salary into an option bonus, clearing about $11 million in cap space, according to Spotrac. His base salary is $1.2 million for 2024, according to OvertheCap.
Back in 2021, Lattimore signed a 5-year, $97.6 million contract with New Orleans.
New Orleans Saints: Marshon Lattimore Trade Rumors
https://gty.im/1245943883
The former 11th overall pick from 2017 won Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Saints, as Lattimore was a top corner prospect from Ohio State.
The 6’0 and 192-pound defensive back has been a staple for their secondary but has been on the downturn in his career in the most recent seasons due to injuries. In 2023, Lattimore had one interception and eight pass deflections, while having the stat line with less pass deflections with 4 in 2022.
His prime was from 2017-2021, with a career-high in interceptions as a rookie with 5, and had a career-high in pass breakups in 2021, with 19.
Although New Orleans will likely not actively shop Lattimore, some teams that still need corner post-draft with enough cap space include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Green Bay Packers.
New Orleans Saints: Have Young Cornerbacks on Roster
https://gty.im/2053981970
If New Orleans moves on from Lattimore, they have some young depth on the roster, especially from this past NFL draft. The team picked up Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry in the second round with the 41st overall selection.
The rookie was dealing with a foot fracture, but the 21-year-old should be eased in and ready for the 2024 NFL season, barring no setbacks with the injury.
The Saints also have two young starters from last season, Paulson Adebo on the outside and Alontae Taylor as their nickel corner.
The former third-rounder and 24-year-old Adebo had a breakout season in 2023, snagging four interceptions after not getting any in 2022, with just 7 pass deflections. Now an underrated starter for New Orleans, the perimeter corner had three interceptions and 8 pass deflections in 2021 and in 2023, had two force fumbles and 18 pass breakups.
Tayler, a former second-round pick, earned starting reps covering slot receivers for New Orleans in 2023. He also had 14 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. In 2021, the nickel corner had 11 pass deflections and was billed as a potential hybrid defensive back.
The New Orleans Saints do have the depth to potentially move on from Marshon Lattimore, as it could be a move done before the new Week 9 NFL trade deadline.
For More Great Sports Content
Follow Andrew on Twitter at @kookykim1357, and follow us at @TotalApexSports for the updated news in ALL sports. Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexEandG and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
