Commanders trade for Saints Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore

The Washington Commanders solidified their No. 2 spot on Tuesday, trading for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

The Commanders swapped 2025 third- and fourth-round picks and also gave the Saints a 2025 sixth-round pick they acquired in a previous trade this summer for defensive tackle John Ridgeway III. In addition to Lattimore, Washington received a 2025 fifth-round pick.

The Commanders, who have long expressed their desire to move on through the draft, have seven picks remaining in 2025.

Washington lacked corner depth and also a quality starter. The Commanders used Benjamin St-Juste as the top corner, with rookie Mike Sainristil on the other side.

But Sainristil was drafted to play their slot corner and the move to the outside was more of a necessity. Coaches have often said they view Sainristil's future as a slot corner. This move allows Washington to put him back inside while Lattimore and St-Juste are out.

The Commanders drafted Emmanuel Forbes in the first round in 2023, but he is a backup and only appeared in five games – and in two of those games he played six or fewer snaps.

Washington ranks 21st in yards per pass attempt but fifth in passing yards per game. The Commanders rank 18th in passer rating among opposing quarterbacks.

Lattimore made the Pro Bowl four times between 2017 and 2021, but has missed 19 games over the last two seasons, including two games this season because of a hamstring injury.

Lattimore has been the subject of trade speculation for nearly a year after working with the Saints last December to restructure his contract for maximum flexibility. He still has two years left on his contract and has caps of $18 million in 2025 and $18.5 million in 2026. However, there is no longer any guaranteed money on his current contract. He will count $605,000 for Washington for the remainder of this season.

According to the Roster Management System, the Commanders have the second-most cap space in 2025 but only have 30 players under contract for next season, including Lattimore.

Lattimore, who sat out voluntary workouts in the spring, said during minicamp that he never requested a trade but acknowledged that he and former Saints coach Dennis Allen had a “personal situation” they needed to address.

Trade speculation seemed to die down after Lattimore showed up in minicamp. Lattimore said he is committed to the Saints and has started seven games this season.

The Saints fired Allen Monday morning after their seventh straight loss and named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as interim coach.