The Pittsburgh Steelers may have been given an additional choice in an attempt to resolve their cornerback position for the 2024 campaign.
The organization has been linked to a number of prominent players at the position that they may look to pursue this offseason. They need someone to play alongside Joey Porter Jr. throughout the upcoming season.
There is currently a new candidate for the job.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that a number of NFL teams think the New Orleans Saints would trade Marshon Lattimore.
Lattimore is a gifted cornerback that the Steelers may find interesting in their pursuit of a new corner.
Parker Abate of Steelers Nation believes that since Lattimore is reportedly available, the Steelers ought to pursue a trade for him.
Reasons for Lattimore’s AvailabilityÂ
Lattimore was regarded as one of the NFL’s top corners just a few years ago.
In four of his first five seasons in the NFL, he was selected to the Pro Bowl, and in his fifth season, he had intercepted 19 passes in 16 games.
For Lattimore, the previous two seasons haven’t been as successful. The talented cornerback has had difficulty staying on the field since agreeing to a massive contract extension with the Saints.
He sustained a lacerated kidney in Week 5 of 2022, which prevented him from playing for the majority of the remaining games. That year, he was only allowed to play in 7 games.
Injuries continued to be a problem in 2023. In Week 10, he sustained a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Now, during the 2024 offseason, the Saints will have to make some tough choices.
Being one of just seven clubs that are above the cap at the moment, the team has one of the worst cap situations in the league.
The Saints don’t have many cuttable contracts that can assist them out, in contrast to many other clubs managing their cap situation at the moment.
They’ll probably have to swap one of their more well-known brands as a result in order to make room. The name Alvin Kamara has previously been mentioned, but after the 2024 season, his contract is negotiable, which may make Lattimore a more desirable trade asset.
The Saints may decide that it’s time to let go of the player they took 11th overall in the 2017 draft after he has missed 17 games over the last two seasons.
Should that occur, the Steelers would have a significant chance.
Excellent Match for the SteelersÂ
When it comes to finding a starting corner this offseason, it would be challenging for the Steelers to do much better than Lattimore.
Since his freshman season, he has not permitted a completion percentage of more than 60% when the ball is targeted.
In the past two seasons, Lattimore has reduced his yards per target allowed to 6.5 or less and has also decreased his yards per completion below his career average.
In addition, he would supply the quickness that the Steelers’ secondary is lacking. Before he was selected, he completed the 40 in 4.36 seconds.
Considering that he will only be 28 in 2024, he ought to have a few more seasons in his peak.
Since his biggest injury was a lacerated kidney rather than a muscle or bone injury, any fears about his injuries stemming from the time he missed over the previous two seasons may also be unfounded.
The Steelers’ contract with him will probably be less expensive than if they were to sign other big names like L’Jarius Sneed or Jaylon Johnson.
It would be a wise move for the Steelers to acquire Lattimore if they can secure a decent trade price, as it would free them up to use their draft picks to address other pressing needs on the team.
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