Marshon Lattimore's return
It looks as if the Marshon Lattimore era with the Washington Commanders will officially begin when they take on the New Orleans Saints. Of course, this is the team general manager Adam Peters acquired the standout cornerback from with just hours remaining before the 2024 trade deadline.
Lattimore played for his first eight seasons in New Orleans. If everything checks out throughout practices this week, he'll make his Washington debut versus the team that made him surplus to requirements.
If the former third-round pick out of Ohio State doesn’t have too much rust, Lattimore's introduction into the starting lineup should begin paying dividends immediately.
Besides being an immediate talent upgrade on the perimeter, Lattimore's presence will allow Washington's defensive coaches a great deal of flexibility when shuffling the other secondary pieces. That is a luxury coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and his staff hasn't been afforded much this season.
Ideally, rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil will be able to move from the perimeter — where he has been forced to play much of this season — back to the slot. This is where he has all the tools to be a game-changer.
The other perimeter cornerback spot remains an issue. Benjamin St-Juste, Noah Igbinoghene, and Michael Davis all have holes in their games. But with Lattimore locking down one side, Whitt can begin designing ways to help out the other outside corner, whoever he may be.
Again, this is the benefit of having a genuine lockdown presence. Something the Commanders haven't legitimately possessed for a long time.
Aside from Lattimore, Washington’s other four cornerbacks have a combined 11 career interceptions. Eight of them come from Davis, who plays less at this point than the others.
Lattimore has 15 picks all by himself. He will make the defense better the moment he steps onto the field and should be chomping at the bit to repay Washington's faith.