The Jacksonville Jaguars are eager to prove to the NFL that making Trevor Lawrence one of the highest paid quarterbacks in NFL history was the right choice. Jacksonville finished 9-8 last season and narrowly missed the playoffs, however, four of their losses were one possession finals.
Could a playmaker on defense be enough to make the difference in a few of those one-score games?
Jacksonville Jaguars Pegged To Land Significant Defensive Playmaker
![Jaguars Favorite To Part Ways With 3rd Round Pick For 90-Game Difference Maker 1 Oct 13, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark (17) during the second quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_13510636_168400517_lowres.jpg)
According to Alex Kay of Bleacher Report:
Jaguars Receive: CB Marshon Lattimore
Saints Receive: 2025 third-round pick
The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 9-8 season, but they will have trouble keeping pace in the AFC without improving their cornerback room. It’s the glaring weak point on this roster ahead of the 2024 season and could use an injection of star power via trade.
Marshon Lattimore appears to be the top available talent at the position, especially after a unique contract restructuring that makes a trade easier for the Saints to financially execute.
Now heading into his age-28 season, Lattimore’s availability is his biggest question mark. He’s missed 17 games since the start of the 2022 campaign and hasn’t earned a Pro Bowl nod since 2021. Still, Lattimore has career numbers of 375 tackles, 86 pass defenses, 15 interceptions and five forced fumbles, making him an intriguing veteran option for any team in need of cornerback help.
If the Jaguars are going to contend with the litany of top-tier quarterbacks they’re set to face in 2024 and potentially in the playoffs, there’s no question that a healthy Lattimore would be an asset. Giving up a Day 2 pick may be a tough pill to swallow, but it’s a move Jacksonville should make to shore up the biggest hole on the roster.
Jacksonville will play Anthony Richardson, CJ Stroud, and Will Levis twice a year for the foreseeable future. Getting as much help in the secondary as possible will be crucial. Here are the cornerbacks the Jaguars took with them onto their initial 53-man roster:
- Projected Starters: Tyson Campbell (fourth NFL season), Ronald Darby (tenth).
- Backups: Jarrian Jones (rookie), De’Antre Prince (rookie), Montaric Brown (third).
Lattimore would be a massive upgrade to this group.
![Jaguars Favorite To Part Ways With 3rd Round Pick For 90-Game Difference Maker 2 Aug 9, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end James O'Shaughnessy (80) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone (47) and corner back Marshon Lattimore (23) after making a catch in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_11056377_168400517_lowres.jpg)
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