Grading the Marshon Lattimore trade: Commanders hit sensational home run

It's no secret that the Washington Commanders were looking for cornerback assistance to help their playoff quest before the 2024 trade deadline. General manager Adam Peters bided his time and struck with conviction for his first bombshell splash since taking the job.

The New Orleans Saints were open for business after their seventh-straight loss of the season at the Carolina Panthers in Week 9. Stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore quickly became the subject of speculation, with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs reportedly aiming to bring him into the fold.

Washington threw its hat in the ring relatively late in the process. They also had more disposable assets to offer to tempt the Saints into a deal.

Job done.

Commanders solved significant need with Marshon Lattimore trade

The Commanders gave up third, fourth, and sixth-round picks in exchange for Lattimore and a fifth-rounder. This was costly to a certain extent, but this all stems from Peters being able to extract value from players who weren't part of his plans during the offseason.

As fate would have it, the sixth-round selection in this trade is New Orleans' original pick they gave up for defensive tackle John Ridgeway III. Peters is a master negotiator and knows how to build a winning franchise. He's also shown a willingness to adapt to increasing expectations in D.C. This is a far cry from how things were run under previous regimes.

This rebuild is way ahead of schedule. Instead of adopting a wait-and-see approach, Peters made a big play for one of the league's premier coverage presences. This solves a glaring need as the Commanders look to continue their exceptional start to the campaign and win the NFC East in 2024.

Lattimore has something the Commanders have sorely lacked. He's elite in single coverage, capable of locking down one side of the field with minimal fuss and making things easier for everyone else on defense along the way. His mentality should slot seamlessly into Washington's outstanding culture shift. This was another important part of the equation that shouldn't be overlooked.

Giving up two picks is a small price to pay for someone so gifted. If Lattimore can recover from his hamstring issue effectively and stay healthy after that, this has all the makings of a home-run hit. One that could officially open Washington's window for a potential Super Bowl with rookie phenom Jayden Daniels under center.

• Grading the Commanders' trade: A

To say this was a statement of intent is understating things. Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler, a proven performer, and someone capable of shining brightest in the biggest moments.

He's exactly what Washington had in mind for a high-quality reinforcement that fits into Peters' long-term strategy. And they acquired him without having to part ways with a second-round pick for good measure.

This strengthens Washington's playoff aspirations now and into the future. If the league wasn't on notice about what was happening with the Commanders already, they are now.

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