The Los Angeles Chargers were among the teams reportedly calling the New Orleans Saints about Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore at Tuesday’s trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Saints ended up sending Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, and Chargers fans should be relieved.
First of all, Lattimore is not with an AFC contender. That alone should make the Chargers happy as the retooling team fights to hold on to a Wild Card spot.
Second, the asking price was too high. The Commanders parted with third, fourth and sixth round picks for Lattimore while receiving a fifth return from New Orleans.
Lattimore is one of the best man-to-man cornerbacks in the NFL as he has only allowed one touchdown in individual coverage since the start of the 2022 season. However, he has only played in 24 of a possible 43 games during this period.
Plus, the Chargers simply don’t need him. Los Angeles has the best scoring defense and 11th best passing defense in the NFL. Parting with a Day 2 draft pick wouldn’t have made sense.
Although the Chargers have looked decent this season, they still have some needs to fill in April. Los Angeles will need help at wide receiver, center, offensive guard and outside linebacker. The Chargers might even be inclined to devote resources to a running back.
Another cornerback wouldn’t hurt the Chargers. However, when the defense is playing as well as it has this season, without Asante Samuel Jr., three draft picks — especially a third-rounder — aren’t necessarily replaceable.
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