Moving on from veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore was an easy choice for the Washington Commanders this offseason. His trade to the franchise was a complete disaster, and the $18.5 million in savings attached made it a no-brainer to cut him loose.
The Commanders could still use another capable performer at corner, especially after Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene also took their chances elsewhere. But they couldn't trust Lattimore, whose torn ACL during the campaign represented a microcosm of how things unfolded in Washington.
This is also the primary reason why Lattimore is still sitting on the free-agent market. Until he proves his health, it's hard to envisage any team making a commitment. That didn't stop one NFL analyst from touring the four-time Pro Bowler's next destination when the time comes.
NFL analyst highlights potential Marshon Lattimore landing spot after Commanders exit
Gary Davenport of The Bleacher Report thought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made sense for Lattimore. While the recent struggles are concerning, the analyst thought his previous shutdown capabilities within the NFC South make it a risk worth taking if the money is right.
"A cornerback could be in play at No. 15 overall, but even if that's the case a young position group could use a veteran anchor after Jamel Dean's departure.
"Marshon Lattimore wasn't the player in Washington that he was with the New Orleans Saints, but the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year has four Pro Bowls on his professional resume and posted a passer rating against of under 70 as recently as two years ago in New Orleans."
Lattimore is no stranger to the Buccaneers' division, having risen to stardom with the New Orleans Saints before his trade to the Commanders. Tampa Bay is also looking for cornerback help after losing Jamel Dean in free agency. They will probably wait until after the draft to identify other veteran options, but the Ohio State product might welcome the prospect of joining a team that still believes it can contend.
It's an intriguing possibility. Even so, this all comes down to health.
Lattimore tore his ACL in Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, all but ending his tenure with the club. It's not the career-threatening complication of old, but it does require a significant period of rehabilitation. Considering how the defensive back seemed a yard off the pace even when healthy last season, there are more than enough reasons to pause on this possibility.
The Commanders were right to move on. Peters wasn't wrong in trading for Lattimore at the time, but it blew up spectacularly. And whenever the player ends up next, he cannot falter.
If he does, that'll be the last anyone sees of Lattimore in the league, confirming his drastic fall from grace.