Analyst pitches KC Chiefs trading for NO Saints CB Marshon Lattimore before the deadline

With the 2024 NFL trade deadline less than a week away, the Kansas City Chiefs are already one of the busiest teams in the league. Not only has general manager Brett Veach traded to the Tennessee Titans for wideout DeAndre Hopkinsbut the addition of pass rusher Joshua Uche of the New England Patriots will also help. That said, is there room for a final move before the deadline arrives?

With injuries undermining the reigning Super Bowl winners at 100% health, there is precedent for it. Assets may be a different story, as Veach has already given up the Day 3 pick in the next two drafts this fall. From a salary cap perspective, estimates for the Chiefs range from just under $256,000 to just over $4 million. If things line up perfectly, it could leave the door open for one final addition as Kansas City chases a three-peat.

Bleacher Report seems to agree with that proposal. Ahead of the Week 9 game, the outlet dove into each team’s most notable needs right now and landed on a potential cornerback trade for the Chiefs. Of Jaylen Watson on injured reserve, Nazeeh Johnson while he suffered a concussion in Week 8 and Joshua Williams struggled on the field, a No. 2 cornerback to team with Trent McDuffie could help a lot.

Alex Ballentine has someone specific in mind. He thinks Veach should call the New Orleans Saints and inquire about four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore.

“The Chiefs already took a big step toward making the trade when they acquired DeAndre Hopkins before the deadline, but they have enough salary cap flexibility to make another move.” Ballentine wrote. Pursuing a historic third Super Bowl could be enough motivation to really sell out and make an aggressive move. The Saints trading for Marshon Lattimore would certainly qualify. The talented corner could be inserted into the lineup to replace Jaylen Watson, who was just placed on injured reserve. The Saints have strong depth at cornerback and a messy cap situation, so trading Lattimore wouldn’t be surprising.”

Lattimore, 28, is a former first-round pick whose pedigree speaks for itself. While he hasn’t reached the aforementioned Pro Bowl over the last two seasons, he remains an effective cover corner and has played in his most games in a year since 2021. Year No. 8 was a good year for him, as he currently boasts a career-low 5.7 yards per target surrendered in coverage and a sparkling 71.7 passer rating given up. Additionally, Lattimore has a pair of pass breakups and isn’t charged with a single missed tackle in Week 9.

Advanced stats also show a player who still has it. According to Pro football focusLattimore is the No. 45 overall cornerback out of 201 players in their database. Moreover, its coverage ratio is good for 37th place. Even on a New Orleans team that appears to be heading in the wrong direction, Lattimore is doing his part at the back of the secondary. He also had just $1.2 million in base salary for the year after the Saints converted some of his money into an option bonus. That’s the only reason Kansas City is even mentioned as a potential destination.

Going forward, the Chiefs would pay a pretty penny for Lattimore’s services. With a base salary of $16 million and an even tougher cap hit in each of the next two years, that seems unlike Veach, as he just refused to pay L’Jarius Sneed earlier this calendar year. Lattimore can definitely help a defense, but without him being a true hit man for a year, this writer isn’t sure this makes much sense.

Don’t get it twisted: Kansas City could make it work if they absolutely wanted to, and they could also benefit from a cornerback addition. Despite Lattimore’s affordability and production in 2024, he may not be the player to step up.

Read more: Andy Reid on why Chiefs were ‘comfortable’ making Kareem Hunt captain in Week 8