Leaders among teams interested in Saints CB Marshon Lattimore; KC is also targeting another WR?

Trade rumors swirled around Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore this offseason, and with the trade deadline just two days away, these rumors are on the rise again. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, several teams have called New Orleans about Lattimore, including the Chiefs.

Kansas City has already made two notable trades in recent weeks by acquiring WR DeAndre Hopkins of the Titans and DE Josh Uche of the Patriots. However, both Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) indicate that the defending champions may not be done yet, with Russini noting that another receiver and a “young, fast corner” are on the club’s wish list.

Lattimore, 28, may not fit the sports world’s definition of “young,” but he is a four-time Pro Bowler who continues to play at a high level. Through seven games in 2024, Lattimore has earned a coverage grade of 71.6 from Pro Football Focus, the 26th highest mark in the league out of 110 qualifiers. He has also given a modest 69.1 rating to opposing quarterbacks.

The Saints exercised the opportunity to deal Lattimore this offseason before deciding to keep the No. 11 overall pick of the 2017 draft, and they have him under club control until 2026. As such, it may take a premium package to convince GM Mickey Loomis to pull the trigger, and FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz says it’s unclear how interested Loomis might be in a Lattimore trade.

Moreover, as Schefter notes, Lattimore’s health could give potential suitors pause. Lattimore will miss today’s game with the Panthers due to a hamstring injury, which has already forced him to miss the club’s Week 2 game. He also suffered a hip injury during training camp. So while Schultz acknowledges that a loss to lowly Carolina — which would drop the Saints to 2-7 — could convince Loomis to make multiple moves, Lattimore may not be one of the players leaving New Orleans.

The Chiefs win games with their defense for the second year in a row, with their star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown just eight touchdowns against a league-worst nine interceptions. However, KC has lost its starting CB Jaylen Watson for the season due to a broken ankle, and adding Lattimore as a bookend for fellow boundary corner and First Team All-Pro performer Trent McDuffie would further strengthen DC Steve Spagnuolo‘s already stout unit, which currently ranks fifth in the league in total defense.

The Chiefs’ WR corps was a weak spot for much of the 2023 campaign, and the club looked to strengthen that group by Xavier Waard in the first round of this year’s draft and addition Marquise Brown in free agency. Although Worthy flashed at times, Brown suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in August Rashee Rice was lost the entire year with a knee injury in week 4. An addition at the end of the summer, JuJu Smith-Schustersuffers from a hamstring problem, and Sky Moore recently ended up on injured reserve with a core muscle injury. So even with Hopkins in the fold, it makes sense for the Chiefs to look for a new pass catcher to help Mahomes and get the offense back on track.