By Dianna Russini, Ben Standig, Larry Holder and Cale Clinton

The Washington Commanders have acquired New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, the team announced Tuesday. The Commanders received Lattimore and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for a third, fourth and sixth pick in 2025 in the John Ridgeway III trade, a team source confirmed.

The Saints drafted Lattimore with the 11th pick in 2017, and the CB has spent each of the last eight seasons in New Orleans. The four-time Pro Bowler has recorded 88 passes defended since entering the league, the fifth-most in that span.

The 28-year-old Lattimore joins a Commanders defense that ranks just 26th in defensive DVOA according to FTN, but is closer to league average in defensive pass DVOA (17th). With the Commanders allowing just 6.2 net yards per pass attempt this season, they now have a cornerback in Lattimore, who led the Saints with a team-low completion rate of 42.9 percent.

🔒🔒🔒

We have acquired CB Marshon Lattimore from the Saints (pending physical) pic.twitter.com/Dlc3Lvn3Td

– Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 5, 2024

Why the commanders decided to provide immediate assistance to CB

From the moment the Commanders began overhauling their organization in January, starting with the hiring of general manager Adam Peters, they approached the roster with a long lens. There were no spectacular signings or trades that sent coveted draft picks.

Through the first nine games, the Commanders emerged as a surprising NFC contender and changed their long-term strategy under Peters. Instead of maintaining tunnel vision toward a future where draft picks will provide the building blocks they want, Washington moved a third- and fourth-rounder to a spot that needed immediate help.

Washington's cornerback unit is arguably the weakest on the roster. That's the primary rotation of Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene and position depth. St-Juste, a solid fourth-year player, was outmatched against opposing No. 1 receivers. Sainristil, a lively but undersized second-round rookie, was drafted on the inside line but defaulted to the other outside corner.

Emmanuel Forbes, selected in the first round of 2023 by the previous front office, has not improved from a difficult rookie campaign. Forbes was a healthy scratch in a Week 6 loss at Baltimore and was the only non-quarterback not to play a snap in Sunday's 27-22 win over the New York Giants.

League sources said The athlete that the Commanders inform teams that Forbes, the FBS all-time leader with six interceptions returned for a touchdown, is available for trade. Another cornerback, veteran Michael Davis, fell out of the rotation after a poor performance against the Giants in Week 2.

Aside from the Commanders' rise up the conference hierarchy, the lack of obvious contenders in the middle of the season likely contributed to Peters' push. Only the 7-1 Lions have a better record than Washington.

The Commanders still control their first- and second-round picks and acquired the Miami Dolphins' third-round pick in August in a trade that sent 2022 first-round wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles. — Ben Standig, Commander's Beat Writer

Lattimore's Cost Breakdown

The cost for Lattimore includes 2025 ($16 million) and 2026 ($16 million) salaries from a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension signed in 2021. The lack of guaranteed money for the remaining years means Washington could move on from Lattimore, but that hasn't happened after those picks were traded away. However, with his agent knowing there is a lack of guaranteed money, he will likely seek a revised deal.

This would also lower Lattimore's salary cap hit from the current $31.66 million in 2025. — Constant

Why the Saints Dealt Lattimore

If Lattimore is healthy and committed, the 28-year-old can certainly be the No. 1 cornerback for an NFL team.

There seemed to be a disconnect between Lattimore and the Saints for almost a year, so much so that Lattimore's name was thrown around in discussion throughout the offseason as to whether or not the Saints would cut ties with him. And it's not because he can't play. I think his recent hamstring injury will suddenly heal, just in time for him to play for the Commanders fairly quickly.

The Saints are already playing without Paulson Adebo after he suffered a season-ending leg injury a few weeks ago. New Orleans was already used to playing with Lattimore, so they went with Alontae Taylor and Shemar Jean-Charles. — Larry Holder, senior NFL writer

Could the move signal change in New Orleans?

This move will impact the Saints' salary cap in 2025, as Lattimore will suddenly count $31.7 million in dead money. It could be the first sign that the Saints are admitting it's time to move on from some contracts and rebuild after firing Dennis Allen. — holder

Required reading

(Photo: Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)