- The Washington Times - Tuesday, November 5, 2024

The Washington Commanders made the biggest splash ahead of the NFL’s annual trade deadline on Tuesday, adding four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

The 7-2 Commanders sent a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick and a sixth-rounder to the Saints in the 2025 draft. New Orleans sent a 2025 fifth-round pick to Washington with Lattimore

The Commanders had draft picks to spare in the third and sixth rounds after trading away wide receiver Jahan Dotson and defensive lineman John Ridgeway before the season.

Lattimore, 28, is considered one of the top defensive backs in the NFL when healthy. The four-time Pro Bowler has recorded two pass deflections and 30 tackles in seven games this season, though a hamstring injury has limited his playing time. 

When he’s on the field, opposing offenses have avoided throwing at Lattimore this year. He has been targeted on just 9.7% of his coverage snaps, the second-lowest mark in the league for outside cornerbacks, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. 

The rare passes thrown toward the Ohio State product haven’t panned out well for quarterbacks. Receivers have caught just 52.6% of their targets when covered by Lattimore.

While some analysts have questioned the steep price the Commanders are paying, they weren’t the only team interested in the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs, the top two teams in the AFC last year, were both reportedly interested in Lattimore. 

After years of giving away assets at the trade deadline, the Commanders saw themselves as buyers this year, thanks in large part to the superstar-caliber play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

“The Jayden Daniels window is wide open for the Commanders, and they swing a big-time trade,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, noting that the Commanders outbid the Ravens and Chiefs in trade negotiations. “[Lattimore] lands with the Commanders and a huge piece for their defense.”

The blockbuster trade addresses an immediate need for coach Dan Quinn’s squad. While the Commanders jumped to their best start since 1996, the secondary looked like a potential Achilles’ heel. 

Former first-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes has been left out of the lineup while Benjamin St-Juste and rookie Mike Sainristil take most of the first-team snaps. With the addition of Lattimore, St-Juste will likely continue to line up outside while Sainristil moves into his natural position in the slot. 

Tuesday’s trade is the latest aggressive move for first-year general manager Adam Peters.

Peters and his front office have been lauded for drafting superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels in this year’s draft and adding valuable veterans like linebacker Bobby Wagner and running back Austin Ekeler in free agency. 

While the Commanders filled an apparent need at the trade deadline, the division-rival Dallas Cowboys left many analysts scratching their heads. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones sent a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for second-year wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a 2025 seventh-round selection.

Mingo, a second-round pick in the 2023 draft, has failed to make waves in the NFL. The Ole Miss product has caught 12 passes for 121 yards this season after an underwhelming rookie campaign last year. 

“Has a skill set but raw, hasn’t produced in the league yet. Rich,” an unnamed general manager told NFL Network’s Jane Slater of the trade. “Doesn’t surprise you with Dallas.”

While the 3-5 Cowboys added a receiver, playoff contenders around the league looked to strengthen their defenses ahead of potential postseason pushes.

The Detroit Lions sent a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for edge rusher Za’Darius Smith and a seventh-round selection in 2026. Coach Dan Campbell’s roster needed help on the defensive line after losing pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the rest of the season due to a broken tibia and fibula.

After missing out on Lattimore, the Ravens traded for Los Angeles Rams cornerback Tre’Davious White. The 29-year-old former All-Pro hasn’t taken a snap since Sept. 29, losing his spot on the depth chart to rookie Josh Wallace. 

Baltimore sent a 2026 seventh-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for White and a seventh-rounder in 2027.

The 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers added talent on both sides of the ball, adding wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets and edge rusher Preston Smith for the Green Bay Packers. Pittsburgh sent a seventh-round pick to Green Bay and a fifth-round selection to New York in the deadline deals.

The Steelers and Commanders, two of the most active teams on Tuesday, will square off on Sunday at Northwest Stadium. It’s too soon to tell whether their trade acquisitions will be ready for this week’s game. 

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.

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