Jaguars trading for Marshon Lattimore unlikely after latest update

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore has routinely been the subject of trade talks in the offseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars, for their part, could use help at the position, so they've been seen as a potential landing spot for him. However, they might be out of luck based on a recent update.

The New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen told the media that they're moving forward with Lattimore, noting that he's engaged in positive talks with him. This means that Lattimore is staying for an eighth season in the Big Easy.

The Saints reworked Lattimore's deal after 2023 to make it possible to trade him. Whichever team traded for him could take his full salary next season and move on from him in 2025 without incurring dead money penalties. Conversely, they could split the charge in two to decrease his cap hit in 2024. Either way, the former Ohio State could've boosted the Jaguars' secondary.

Lattimore, a first-round pick in 2017, has earned four Pro Bowls during his stint in New Orleans. The past two seasons, though he missed 17 games. However, the Ohio State product has managed to remain productive in that span, giving up just one total touchdown and fewer than 11.0 yards per reception.

On the other hand, Lattimore was brought up as a trade candidate because New Orleans drafted Kool-Aid McKinstry cast doubt in Lattimore's future. Add the fact that Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen held the same position for the Saints in 2021 and acquiring Lattimore seemed like a realistic possibility.

Trading for Marshon Lattimore would've allow the Jaguars to check off a box

With Marshon Lattimore tentatively staying in New Orleans, the Jacksonville Jaguars will have to look somewhere else for cornerback help. Keep in mind that there are reports about them making a run for Lattimore. Instead, he appeared to be a fit based on a need the Jags have.

The silver lining is that the Jacksonville cornerback room isn't fully depleted. Tyson Campbell is expected to come back from injuries and Ronald Darby, who signed in free agency, is a reliable starter. On top of that, the front office just used a pair of draft picks on Jarrian Jones and Deantre Prince. Having said that, the unit will be a question mark ahead of the regular season.

Maybe Campbell will bounce back. Perhaps Jones or Prince will step up, but having Lattimore in the mix would've brought a bit of certainty at the position. Now, the Jaguars will have to turn to the open market if they want help at cornerback.

Veterans Xavin Howard, Adoree' Jackson, and Stephon Gilmore remain unsigned. While all of them are past their prime, they could turn out to be serviceable players. If the Jaguars see that cornerback is an issue in training camp, they could give any of them a call. In the worst-case scenario, they can reach out to Tre Herndon, who spent the last six seasons in Jacksonville but is still looking for a team.

The bottom line is that Marshon Lattimore was the Jaguars' best option to give their cornerback room. It's possible that they'll will be fine but it wouldn't have hurt to acquire veteran help.

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