New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Lattimore headlined one of the best draft classes in recent memory. The Ohio State product quickly established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the game, locking down his side of the field while playing a crucial role in turning New Orleans into a legitimate contender during the final years of Drew Brees’ storied career.
However, injuries have taken their toll on the veteran, as he has only played in a combined 17 games over the past two seasons. He hasn’t played up to his old standard even when healthy, as the cornerback finished the 2023 season with a 67.4 PFF grade, the 50th-best mark out of 127 eligible players. The cash-strapped Saints can clear $3.98 million in cap space with a trade, and Bleacher Report‘s Ryan Fowler believes the Minnesota Vikings should send a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick for Marshon Lattimore.
Bleacher Report: Saints Could Trade Marshon Lattimore to Vikings
Fowler points to the respective depth charts of the Saints and Vikings to justify a potential Marshon Lattimore trade. Despite lacking draft capital, New Orleans traded up to select cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in the 2024 NFL Draft, suggesting they believe he has what it takes to be a legitimate lockdown cornerback. Minnesota, meanwhile, swung and missed on cornerback Andrew Booth Jr and safety Lewis Cine and could use more help in their secondary. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores runs an aggressive defense that requires strong cornerback play, and Lattimore could be a huge help there.
The biggest question here is the return. Fowler has the Saints receiving a 2022 fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick, which seems like a lot given the current cornerback market. L’Jarius Sneed is one year younger and considerably better than the present-day version of Marshon Lattimore, but the Chiefs could only trade him for a 2025 third-round pick. Any team acquiring Lattimore will also acquire his bloated contract, so it’s hard to envision New Orleans receiving a better return than what the Chiefs got for Sneed.
Should the Saints Pull the Trigger?
The decision to trade Marshon Lattimore will ultimately come down to how the Saints view their chances in 2024. If they believe it’s time for a rebuild, then they should part ways with their veteran cornerback and his massive cap hit. However, if they believe they can compete, then they have no choice but to keep Lattimore around.
For better or worse, it’s clear the Saints do not believe in rebuilding. New Orleans mortgaged the future for years on end, dating back to the Drew Brees day. This made sense during the final years of Brees, as that team had boatloads of talent and could’ve won it all with a future Hall of Fame quarterback leading the way. The present-day Saints, however, aren’t nearly as talented. Derek Carr is a mediocre quarterback, the offensive line might be the worst in the league, and New Orleans lacks the financial resources to overhaul the entire unit.
There is a strong case to be made that the Saints should rip off the band-aid, trade Marshon Lattimore, and work towards a brighter future. However, years upon years of contract restructures all but ensure this won’t happen. New Orleans is scheduled to be $88.2 million over the 2025 salary cap, so perhaps the team will part ways with Lattimore in the following offseason. Right now, however, he’ll probably stay as New Orleans pursues their first playoff birth since Brees called it a career.
Main Photo: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports
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