NFL fans are loving the massive trade that went down today, sending an elite cornerback to a team that is already at the top of their division.
In a major trade on Tuesday, the New Orleans Saints are sending four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders. Despite currently recovering from a hamstring injury, Lattimore considered one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks and a former Ohio State standout, is expected to be fully fit for the critical games in November and December, a timeline the Commanders are banking on as they bolster their secondary for the stretch run.
NFL Fans Think Washington Commanders Are Real After Massive Trade
On Tuesday afternoon, three hours before the 4 p.m. E.T. trade deadline, the Saints and the Commanders agreed to a blockbuster deal, shipping the standout cornerback to the NFC East.
“Trade: New Orleans is sending four-time Pro-Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, per sources. Saints had multiple teams interested in the 28-year-old CB who still is recovering from a hamstring injury. Commanders’ push is on,” Adam Schefter reported.
NFL insider Dianna Russini from The Athletic reported on the details of the high-profile trade, noting that the Saints will receive a Day 2 draft pick in return.
“The asking price for Saints CB Marshon Lattimore is a 2025 Day 2 draft pick, per source. While there are several teams poking around on it, there’s a belief that the Commanders have the inside lane. No deal is done yet,” she reported earlier on Tuesday.
With No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels at the helm, the Commanders are making a serious push this season. Currently, at 7-2, Washington is poised for a deep run in the NFC East as they enter the crucial final stretch.
After a strong first half, the team has now bolstered its defense by acquiring one of the top available players on the market. This latest addition signals their commitment to maximizing their playoff chances.
Also Read: Why Commanders Need To Move On From 2023 First-Round Pick
Commanders and NFL fans are hyped for the trade, which has been the best one so far ahead of the trade deadline. This will be a huge addition to a defense that has been struggling. Clearly, the Commanders are going all in to win now, and in the future. They can make aggressive moves as they have a sensational rookie quarterback on a rookie deal.
Fans are now taking the Commanders very seriously, and they may be able to make a big splash in the postseason in Daniels’ rookie year:
“Adam Peters knows how valuable it is to have an elite QB on a rookie deal,” Will Clayton said of Washington’s general manager. “Strike while the iron is hot.”
“End of an era,” a Saints fan wrote. “Needed to be done though.”
“Daniel Snyder out, and Washington becomes respectable almost immediately,” Trevor McCue of Rivals said. “Lattimore, [Mike] Sainrstil, and [Benjamin] St. Juste in the same secondary is something else too.”
“I’m just happy the Chiefs didn’t get him,” Tylor Fontenot said.
“Commanders are building something special. I love this, as an immediate answer to providing help in the secondary,” Kelsey Nicole Nelson wrote. “The new faces and vets on this squad, Washington means business.”
Since being drafted in the first round in 2017, Marshon Lattimore has established himself as a premier cornerback, earning four Pro Bowl selections with the Saints. Over 97 career games, he has recorded 405 tackles, 15 interceptions, and five fumble recoveries, cementing his reputation as a top shutdown corner.
Pro Football Focus notes that Lattimore has allowed just one touchdown in coverage since the start of 2022 and has been targeted only 14 times in seven games this season—a testament to his elite coverage skills. His arrival could be a game-changer for Washington’s secondary. Although the Commanders currently rank fifth in passing defense, they’ve still allowed opposing quarterbacks a 103.9 rating and a 68.1% completion rate, areas where Lattimore’s impact could make all the difference.
This will be a huge addition to one of the best teams in the NFC, and with is playoff experience that will be incredibly helpful to a young team heading into the post-season.
Related: Washington Commanders Trade for Pro-Bowl CB Ahead of 2024 NFL Trade Deadline
