Fans were sent into delirious disbelief with hours left until the 2024 trade deadline. The Washington Commanders made calls and wanted to build on the incredible momentum generated over the first half of the season. As it turned out, general manager Adam Peters made a monumental statement of intent.
Just when it seemed like Washington would miss out, they pulled a rabbit out of the hat by trading for stud cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints. This sent shockwaves throughout the league and lent further weight to the claims Washington must be taken seriously at long last.
Lattimore is a difference-maker. He's a prolific coverage presence who looks tailor-made for the scheme Washington runs. This might not get the Commanders to a Super Bowl, but it does nothing to diminish their hopes that's for sure.
The Commanders didn't get a wide receiver as most projected, but no fan was grumbling about that after landing one of the league's best defensive backs. With rumors about Washington becoming a hotly-coveted destination once again, having a marquee guy around like this is only going to help their cause when the 2025 recruitment period arrives.
With that being said, here are five winners and two losers from the Commanders' trade for Lattimore.
Winners and losers from Commanders' trading for Marshon Lattimore
Winner No. 1
Joe Whitt Jr. - Commanders DC
Joe Whitt Jr. probably wasn't complaining when the higher-ups asked him for an opinion on Marshon Lattimore before they made their move. The Washington Commanders' defensive coordinator improved this unit gradually throughout the campaign. But when the time comes to mix it with the NFL's best, their vulnerabilities are evident.
Having Lattimore changes all that in an instant. He'll give Whitt a genuine shutdown option capable of either shadowing the opposition's best wide receiver or locking down one side of the field with relative comfort. That's something he hasn't benefitted from previously.
This opens things up for Whitt. It'll allow the Commanders to shift things around and make things easier for the team's pass-rush for good measure. Lattimore should relish the opportunity to learn from Washington's improved coaches - something that can spearhead this organization back to the playoffs if he hits it off immediately with the defensive play-caller.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr. - Commanders CB
The Washington Commanders were willing to give second-year cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. another shot despite his disastrous rookie campaign in 2023. There were some encouraging signs throughout the offseason, but it didn't take long for things to unravel in a competitive setting.
Forbes just doesn't look capable of being physical enough to perform to the level anticipated in Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive scheme. Rumors of a potential trade before the deadline came to nothing, but it hints at an increasingly bleak future after the Commanders traded for Marshon Lattimore.
The former first-round pick out of Mississippi State is buried down the depth chart following Lattimore's arrival. Forbes was probably not part of the team's long-term vision for the future even before this trade. It's all but confirmed now.
Forbes is the last remaining first-round pick from Ron Rivera's disastrous four-year tenure. That might not be the case for much longer unless the college ballhawk takes a substantial surge forward in the coming weeks.
Benjamin St-Juste - Commanders CB
This might sound like a strange choice, but Marshon Lattimore's pending arrival could be great news for veteran mainstay Benjamin St-Juste. The former third-round selection never looked comfortable being tasked with covering the opposition's most accomplished wide receiver. Now, he doesn't have to.
St-Juste will likely become a complementary option on the other side of Lattimore, with rookie Mike Sainristil moving back into his preferred nickel role. NFL passing attacks have more than one productive wideout these days. However, this makes life a lot easier for the former third-round pick out of Minnesota.
Considering this is also a contract year for St-Juste, it could also enhance his chances of getting a new deal. There are still too many penalties being conceded by the player in critical moments. But the more comfortable he becomes without the pressure of guarding No. 1 options, the better his chances will be.
It could go either way for St-Juste. Taking some of the heat off with this marquee addition might just be the best thing that ever happens to him when it's all said and done.
Adam Peters - Commanders GM
Adam Peters drew rave reviews for his expert roster overhaul throughout a dramatic first offseason at the helm. The Washington Commanders made the right hire to spearhead this storied franchise into a prosperous new era. Trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore is the general manager's most aggressive move by a considerable margin.
It's a sign of his willingness to adapt to an ever-improving situation. Peters could have easily sat on his hands in the hope Washington's current group could continue a remarkable opening to the campaign. Instead, the new front office leader struck with conviction for a proven performer who also fits into the team's long-term ethos.
Lattimore's talent far outweighs the compensation if he gets a clear run of luck on the health front. If this transaction also gets Washington over the hump to an NFC East division title, it was worth the risk.
The Commanders are rapidly becoming an attractive destination once again. Peters' shrewd roster management while always keeping the bigger picture in mind is a big reason why. This trade was just another prime example.
Winner No. 4
Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB
Mike Sainristil has been a fantastic team player this season. The rookie second-round selection came into the Commanders with intentions to be their starting nickel cornerback, which is the position he starred at Michigan en route to a memorable college football national championship in 2023.
These plans altered quickly. The Commanders' lack of consistency on the perimeter forced Sainristil to become an outside option. There was an expected adjustment period for the player, but he deserves credit for applying himself well and showing real promise over the last month.
With the Commanders making a bold trade to acquire Marshon Lattimore, this could potentially see Sainristil return to interior responsibilities. This allows him to do what he does best - provide solid inside coverage, be utilized on blitz packages, and make his presence felt against the run.
There's a chance Washington keeps the No. 50 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft as an outside option. Even so, this looks like a great time to deploy Sainristil in the role that he was originally intended over the second half of the season.
Loser No. 2
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
Such a high-profile arrival always comes with a ripple effect across the depth chart. The Washington Commanders made a significant upgrade with the acquisition of Marshon Lattimore via trade from the New Orleans Saints. However, it's not good news for everybody.
We've already spoken about how this could be the end for Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in some capacity. He wasn't getting much playing time in any case. Noah Igbinoghene has seen the field a lot lately, so his role looks set to diminish following Adam Peters' biggest splash since becoming general manager.
The Commanders were forced to adjust on the fly thanks in no small part to the struggles of Forbes and Michael Davis. Igbinoghene was thrust into the nickel role as Mike Sainristil moved outside. Considering this was relatively new to the former first-round selection, he coped relatively well in difficult circumstances.
Igbinoghene will now go to No. 4 on the depth chart. He'll still have a role to play, but it won't be anything like the involvement experienced in recent weeks.
Winner No. 5
Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB
There is no bigger winner from this trade than Marshon Lattimore. The gifted cornerback has gone from a team going nowhere at 2-7 to one that has a realistic chance of making the playoffs and potentially securing a postseason triumph. That's not a bad pendulum swing.
Lattimore gets the chance to enhance the special momentum Washington has built over the first half of 2024. He's not the final piece of the puzzle by any stretch, but his accomplished production and leadership qualities will be a major asset for this defensive unit.
If the Commanders wanted to mix it with the NFL's elite, they needed to find someone capable of locking down one side of the field. Lattimore looks like a heavenly match for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s schematic concepts. There are high expectations attached to his arrival, so hitting the ground running is crucial.
After spending the campaign so far on one of the league's basement dwellers despite the Saints' encouraging start, he should relish the opportunity. One would also expect his hamstring complication to magically clear up following his bombshell switch.
