Fans were sent into delirious disbelief with hours left until the 2024 trade deadline. The Washington Commanders made calls and wanted to build on the incredible momentum generated over the first half of the season. As it turned out, general manager Adam Peters made a monumental statement of intent.
Just when it seemed like Washington would miss out, they pulled a rabbit out of the hat by trading for stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints. This sent shockwaves throughout the league and lent further weight to the claims Washington must be taken seriously at long last.
Lattimore is a difference-maker. He's a prolific coverage presence who looks tailor-made for the scheme Washington runs. This might not get the Commanders to a Super Bowl, but it does nothing to diminish their hopes that's for sure.
The Commanders didn't get a wide receiver as most projected, but no fan was grumbling about that after landing one of the league's best defensive backs. With rumors about Washington becoming a hotly-coveted destination once again, having a marquee guy around like this is only going to help their cause when the 2025 recruitment period arrives.
With that being said, here are five winners and two losers from the Commanders' trade for Lattimore.
Winners and losers from Commanders' trading for Marshon Lattimore
Winner No. 1
Joe Whitt Jr. - Commanders DC
Joe Whitt Jr. probably wasn't complaining when the higher-ups asked him for an opinion on Marshon Lattimore before they made their move. The Washington Commanders' defensive coordinator improved this unit gradually throughout the campaign. But when the time comes to mix it with the NFL's best, their vulnerabilities are evident.
Having Lattimore changes all that in an instant. He'll give Whitt a genuine shutdown option capable of either shadowing the opposition's best wide receiver or locking down one side of the field with relative comfort. That's something he hasn't benefitted from previously.
This opens things up for Whitt. It'll allow the Commanders to shift things around and make things easier for the team's pass-rush for good measure. Lattimore should relish the opportunity to learn from Washington's improved coaches - something that can spearhead this organization back to the playoffs if he hits it off immediately with the defensive play-caller.