The Washington Commanders made a major move at the NFL trade deadline, acquiring four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints. The Commanders announced the trade on Tuesday, following multiple media reports. This acquisition strengthens Washington’s secondary as they continue their push in the NFC East.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that in exchange for Lattimore, the Commanders will receive a 2025 fifth-round pick. The Saints, on the other hand, gain a 2025 third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick that originally came from a previous trade involving Hassan Ridgeway.
The timing couldn’t be better for Washington, who sit at 7-2 and lead the NFC East standings, according to AP News. With playoff ambitions on the rise, the addition of Lattimore addresses a key area of need in their secondary. Although he missed Week 9 due to a hamstring injury, once healthy, Lattimore is expected to make an immediate impact. Selected by the Saints as the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft, the 28-year-old cornerback has spent his entire career with New Orleans, consistently demonstrating his defensive prowess. Now, he transitions from a team on a seven-game losing streak to a potential contender in the NFC.
For the Saints, now standing at 2-7 after a promising 2-0 start, the decision to trade away a veteran like Lattimore follows a tumultuous week. On Monday, the team parted ways with head coach Dennis Allen after a heartbreaking 23-22 defeat against the Carolina Panthers. Lattimore’s departure marks another step in a season filled with challenges. Although he has been dealing with a hamstring issue, interest in Lattimore remained strong leading up to the deadline. Among the interested parties were the Kansas City Chiefs, who reportedly also sought to acquire him before the Tuesday 4 p.m. ET cutoff.
This trade provides Washington with a seasoned defender to bolster their lineup in a highly competitive division, while New Orleans gains valuable future draft assets. As Lattimore joins the Commanders, fans and analysts alike will watch to see how this shift impacts both teams as the season progresses.