Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Just a few days ahead of the NFL draft, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was asked if cornerback Marshon Lattimore is available for a trade and gave an interesting response.
“You ask questions, and you have the right to ask the question, but you know, listen: Everybody is tradable, it just depends on the offer that you get,” Loomis told reporters. “And yet, that’s not very common. … I don’t like trading players that have been contributors for us.
“… There’s too many ‘what if’ things here. If there was something imminent, well, I still wouldn’t tell you.”
While the GM didn’t explicitly say he’s open to dealing Lattimore, he also didn’t exactly shoot down those rumors in his reply. Additionally, Paulson Adebo had a breakout campaign in 2023 with an 80.5 coverage grade and 69.9 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus, and Loomis used a second-round pick on cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.
The Saints would only save just under $4 million of cap space this year by trading the four-time Pro Bowler after June 1, but they would get over $20 million in cap relief in each of the next two seasons, according to Over The Cap. Plus, the return would be pretty big seeing as he has three years left on his contract.
Potential Destinations: Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Raiders have a lot of question marks at cornerback as Jack Jones is currently projected to be their top starter and only has five career starts. The defense could use a No. 1 corner like Lattimore and the front office has plenty of funds available to take on his contract.
Arizona is in a similar spot as Las Vegas, needing to add some talent in the secondary. The Cardinals also have about $28.5 million of cap space available and can afford to give up a 2025 first-rounder — if that’s what it takes — since they have a quarterback in place. The latter is where they might have an advantage over Las Vegas to get a deal done.
Darious Williams was the Jaguars’ top cornerback last season, but Williams went back to the Rams in free agency. That leaves Jacksonville with a need at the position and the front office has the third-most funds available (about $34.2 million) in the league to take on the Saint’s contract.
The Jags are looking to bounce back after a disappointing season and adding a veteran corner would help accomplish that goal, especially since the defense lost one of its best players in the offseason.
This post is sponsored by Fubo. Getty Images
Football is one of the most violent sports in the world – a fact that is both its downfall and allure. As players, we are acutely aware of the risks we take e
Derek Carr is the most dangerous quarterback in football, Klint Kubiak is the most destructive offensive architect in the league,
New Zealand men's Flag Football team at the 2024 World Championships in Finland Photo: RNZ Flag Football is flying in New Zealand and it's hoped it