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Commanders make a big move, trading for Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore
The Washington Commanders may plan to build through the draft, but they made a splash ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, acquiring four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans also sent the Commanders a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. In exchange, the Saints acquired 2025 third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks from Washington.
To clear a roster spot for Lattimore, the Commanders released defensive end Efe Obada.
Lattimore instantly upgrades the Commanders’ secondary and adds star power to a team that has quickly transformed into a contender with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The cost to acquire Lattimore, 28, appears steep, but the Commanders had plenty of salary cap space and nine draft picks after dealing wide receiver Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia and defensive tackle John Ridgeway to New Orleans in August. They will keep the third-round pick they received for Dotson and send over their other one, while also giving New Orleans the sixth-round pick it surrendered in the Ridgeway deal.
Then there’s the salary: New Orleans restructured Lattimore’s deal last year, so Washington (7-2) will take on the remainder of his $1.21 million salary this season. The final two years of Lattimore’s deal include salaries of $16 million and $16.5 million, but they’re not guaranteed, so Washington could sign him to a new, more cap-friendly deal.
“If we had a chance to elevate who we are and how we go about doing our business, we’re going to do that,” Coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Ironically, he was college teammates [at Ohio State] with some of the guys we have here in Noah Brown and Terry McLaurin and some others. … We’re really pumped to add him to the crew.”
Three months ago, such a trade seemed inconceivable in Washington. The Commanders had just started a massive rebuild, overhauling the front office, coaching staff and roster. They were a mystery team and seemed to enjoy being the unknown.
But nine games in, there’s no mystery about the Commanders’ rise, which is due in large part to Daniels. The 23-year-old is on track to win offensive rookie of the year honors, if not more, and has helped transform Washington from an afterthought (and, in recent years, a blemish) to a contender with a prolific offense.
Among the glaring weaknesses, however, was the back end of the defense.
The Commanders drafted cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in the first round in 2023, believing his Football Bowl Subdivision record of six interceptions returned for touchdowns at Mississippi State would translate to more takeaways for Washington.
But Forbes had a rocky first season, with injuries and performance issues, and hasn’t fared much better this year. A thumb injury cost him two games in September, and he was a healthy scratch in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. He did not play in the Commanders’ win over the New York Giants on Sunday.
To adjust for injuries and poor play in the secondary, the Commanders shifted rookie slot cornerback Mike Sainristil outside, opposite Benjamin St-Juste, one of the most targeted cornerbacks in the league. They also have used Noah Igbinoghene in the slot in nickel packages (five defensive backs).
Lattimore gives the Commanders a clear starter, which should allow them to move Sainristil back inside.
Coming out of Ohio State, Lattimore was the top cornerback selected in the 2017 draft, taken 11th overall by the Saints. He earned defensive rookie of the year honors that season, along with the first of his four Pro Bowl selections (2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021). His recent years, however, have been hampered by injuries - a lacerated kidney in 2022, an ankle sprain in 2023 and a hamstring injury this season. Of the Saints’ past 43 games, Lattimore played in 24.
Lattimore has been at the center of trade speculation for the better part of a year, since the Saints restructured his deal in December. In Washington, he could be a centerpiece for a defense that is still finding its way.
The Commanders have improved significantly on that side of the ball since the start of the season to rank fifth in passing yards allowed (183.3 per game) but 21st in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.85). Washington has allowed the fifth-highest passer rating (103.9) to opposing quarterbacks and the third-highest rate of explosive passes (17.8 percent of attempts), according to analytics firm TruMedia.
Lattimore’s arrival reflects the team’s view that it’s ready to compete. At 7-2 and atop the NFC East, Washington is in contention to be a significant player not just this season but going forward. General Manager Adam Peters has stressed a desire to build the roster through the draft, to create continuity and to keep the cap manageable. The Commanders’ rookie class has produced four starters plus two others who play a significant number of snaps.
To help develop the rookies and set a tone on and off the field, the Commanders signed a slew of veterans to shorter-term deals in the offseason - players such as linebacker Bobby Wagner, running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Zach Ertz and safety Jeremy Chinn. Doing so has given Washington an influx of leadership and talent while keeping the future flexible.
It also leaves Washington with plenty of decisions to make and holes to fill - 28 players will be unrestricted free agents in March, unless they re-sign earlier.
Lattimore is more of a splurge, indicating the Commanders view him as a player who can help them win now and later.
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