Commanders commerce for Saints nook Lattimore

The Washington Commanders solidified their secondary Tuesday, buying and selling for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

The Commanders traded 2025 picks within the third and fourth rounds and in addition gave the Saints a 2025 sixth-round decide they acquired in a earlier commerce this summer time for defensive sort out John Ridgeway III. Along with Lattimore, Washington acquired a 2025 fifth-round decide.

The Commanders, who’ve lengthy said their want to construct by way of the draft, nonetheless have seven picks in 2025.

Washington lacked nook depth, along with a top-end starter. The Commanders used Benjamin St-Juste as their prime nook, with rookie Mike Sainristil on the opposite facet.

However Sainristil was drafted to play their slot nook, and the transfer exterior was extra from necessity. The coaches have stated usually that they view Sainristil’s future as a slot nook. This transfer permits Washington to place him again inside with Lattimore and St-Juste exterior.

The Commanders drafted Emmanuel Forbes within the first spherical in 2023, however he is a backup and has appeared in solely 5 video games — and in two of these video games he performed six or fewer snaps.

Washington ranks twenty first in yards per go try however fifth in passing yards per sport. The Commanders are 18th in opposing quarterback passer ranking.

Lattimore made the Professional Bowl 4 occasions between 2017 and 2021 however has missed 19 video games over the previous two seasons, together with two video games this season with a hamstring damage.

Lattimore has been the topic of commerce hypothesis for nearly a 12 months after he labored with the Saints to restructure his contract for max flexibility final December. He has two extra years remaining on his contract that requires cap hits of $18 million in 2025 and $18.5 million in 2026. However there isn’t any extra assured cash on his present deal. He’ll rely $605,000 for Washington the remainder of this season.

In accordance with the Roster Administration System, the Commanders have the second-most cap area in 2025, however they’ve solely 30 gamers beneath contract for subsequent season, together with Lattimore.

Lattimore, who skipped voluntary exercises within the spring, stated throughout minicamp that he by no means requested a commerce however admitted that he and former Saints coach Dennis Allen had a “private state of affairs” they needed to work by way of.

Commerce hypothesis appeared to wane after Lattimore confirmed up at minicamp. Lattimore stated he was dedicated to the Saints and began seven video games this season.

The Saints fired Allen on Monday morning after their seventh straight loss and named particular groups coordinator Darren Rizzi the interim coach.