The Washington Commanders believe they have a chance to contend in 2024. Acquiring cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the trade deadline is proof of that.
Lattimore was deemed expendable by the New Orleans Saints after losing seven straight and firing head coach Dennis Allen. There were reportedly several teams looking to secure his services, including the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Adam Peters swooped at the 11th hour and got a deal done just before the cut-off point.
This is the legitimate difference-maker Washington's defense needs. There are other holes to fill and the Commanders might not be on the Detroit Lions' level just yet. However, there's a growing sense that they'll be a team nobody wants to see early in the postseason.
One of the biggest reasons why the Commanders identified Lattimore as a key target can be attached to an insane statistic regarding the former Ohio State standout.
Commanders can benefit from Marshon Lattimore's coverage prowess
According to Pro Football Focus, Lattimore hasn't allowed a touchdown in single coverage since 2021. That is an astonishing accomplishment that only raises excitement further about what he can bring to Washington.
Marshon Lattimore has not allowed a TD in single coverage since the 2021 season pic.twitter.com/PtbJmpNU7l
— PFF (@PFF) November 5, 2024
Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. utilized a lot of man coverage during their time in previous stops. The lack of legitimate quality in Washington made that difficult. Now they have one of the league's best at locking down one side of the field or shadowing the opposition's most productive wideout, expect to see this a lot more moving forward.
Lattimore might not be available this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. The Commanders are playing the long game. They need him firing on all cylinders at the business end of the campaign. That's why Peters made his biggest splash since taking the job so far.
If Lattimore continues his exceptional run of not giving up a single coverage touchdown in a different environment, that's all the Commanders require. They'll need others such as Benjamin St-Juste and Mike Sainristil to produce, but having a shutdown presence changes everything. It's also something that most teams don't genuinely possess.
The Commanders have taken a swing. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, so striking while the iron is hot was the right call to make. If it doesn't work out, they're still in a healthy position heading into the 2025 offseason.
Whether it comes with playoff success or a potential Super Bowl appearance is anyone's guess. But the Commanders are better off with Lattimore than they were without him. That was Peters' biggest objective before the trade deadline and is likely to continue in the coming years.
Lattimore is a stud. There are some health concerns, but this was a risk worth taking. Now, the onus is on the player to repay the faith and help the Commanders reach some ever-increasing expectations.