On February 23, the NFL announced a record increase to the salary cap for the 2024 season. The New Orleans Saints will still have a
terrible cap issue, though. According to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, the Detroit Lions might be able to acquire four-time Pro Bowl
cornerback Marshon Lattimore by taking advantage of New Orleans’ financial difficulties.
Schatz mentioned three teams that might be interested in acquiring Lattimore in a trade this summer, including the Lions.
Schatz stated, “Once more, a number of cuts and reorganizations will need to be made in order for the Saints to sign their rookie draft
class.” “Moving cornerback Lattimore to another team might be a contentious way to free up some space.”
For the 2024 season, Lattimore will be subject to a $14.6 million salary cap hit. Additionally, his cap hit for the 2025 and 2026 seasons
would be even higher.
But Lattimore might be less expensive than that for the team that acquires him. The specific financial terms of the contract would need
to be negotiated by the Lions and Saints.
The Saints signed Lattimore to a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension prior to the 2021 campaign. His seven-year NFL career
has been entirely devoted to New Orleans.
Reasons for the Saints to Trade Marshon Lattimore
The NFL declared that for the 2024 season, the wage cap will rise by an unprecedented thirty-plus million dollars. This officially puts
the salary cap at $255.4 million per team for this fall.
Therefore, the Saints aren’t quite as bad off as Schatz first said (his piece was released before the salary cap hike was announced).
However, according to Over the Cap, the Saints’ salary cap exceeds by more than $40 million.
Schatz put it this way: “painful” cuts are on their way to New Orleans. The Saints may at least receive something in exchange for
Lattimore.
Cornerback is an apparent necessity for the Lions. Given the Saints’ precarious cap situation, Lattimore is an intriguing trade target.
It’s possible that the Lions will arrange a deal that falls short of market value.
Unless the team chooses to make a cut someplace, New Orleans might be forced to accept.
How the Lions Could Use Lattimore
As the eleventh overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft, Lattimore was selected by the Saints. As a rookie, he was selected for the Pro
Bowl and was awarded Rookie Defensive Player of the Year.
Lattimore has recorded 86 pass defenses and 15 interceptions in seven NFL seasons. In addition, he has 375 total tackles, 5 forced
fumbles, and 7 tackles for loss. Lattimore has four Pro Bowl appearances.
An outside cornerback might start for the Lions in place of Cameron Sutton. In March, cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley, Jerry Jacobs,
and Kindle Vildor will all be unrestricted free agents.
In terms of passing yards allowed and net yards allowed per pass attempt in 2023, Detroit came in 27th and 29th, respectively. Thus,
irrespective of their cornerback
However, Lattimore’s health is the main cause for concern. Over the previous two seasons, injuries have caused him to miss a total of
17 games.
Moseley tore his left ACL the season before, but the Lions signed him in the summer. Moseley only made two plays in 2024 before
rupturing his right ACL.
Less serious injuries have been sustained by Lattimore. However, the last thing the Lions want to do is acquire another cornerback
who won’t play, especially after forfeiting draft capital.
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