The trade didn’t yield dividends for the Washington Commanders last season, but four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore knows how he’s going to fix his struggles.
Lattimore revealed the one reason why he faltered so much last season and it wasn’t his ongoing hamstring problem. The 29-year-old admitted he “felt a little timid” after arriving in a trade from the New Orleans Saints last November, per ESPN’s John Keim.
Fortunately, Lattimore feels “way better” following positive recent showings during offseason work.
Marshon Lattimore on if he ever felt like himself last year (after the trade):
A return to form for Lattimore is the quickest way to fix perhaps the most unpredictable position group on the roster. Cornerback will be a team strength if Lattimore plays like a Pro Bowler, while last season’s rookie sensation Mike Sainristil returns to a familiar role, and 2025 NFL draft second-round pick Trey Amos turns out to be a steal.
Alternatively, the group could undermine a defense still lacking game-wrecking power and speed in the pass-rush department. The imbalance is potentially fatal for a contender loaded with star power on offense, but dealing with more than a few worrying questions about the other side of the ball.
Healthier Marson Lattimore Can Be Difference-Maker for Commanders
Getting over the hamstring injury that cost him six games last season has been an uphill struggle for Lattimore. Yet, it’s a struggle he’s starting to overcome, based on how he’s felt at minicamp.
Lattimore explained why he’s feeling better and how it’s shown up on the field: “Just the burst. Just getting all my breaks. I was dealing with a hamstring, and that takes a lot out of you. It takes a long time to heal. I was just trying to battle through that, but now, since I got a full offseason, I feel explosive,” per Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby.
More explosive movement from Lattimore can finally give the Commanders the difference-making shutdown corner they need. At his best, the eight-year pro is a handsy corner with sharp instincts and natural ball skills.
Sadly, those traits hardly showed up when Lattimore was bullied by rival receivers like A.J. Brown and Mike Evans last season. His shaky performances didn’t dent the confidence of general manager Adam Peters, but the proof will be in what Lattimore puts onto the field.
It’s a good thing then he’s looked up to speed at minicamp, per The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala.
Trey Amos and Marshon Lattimore
Competing against Amos is a good barometer for a new-look cornerback rotation in Washington.
Commanders Ready to Shuffle the Deck at Cornerback
Trusting Lattimore to recover fully, along with using prime draft capital on Amos, proves the Commanders are ready to take a risk or two at a key spot. The risk is there’s extra pressure on defensive backs to be lockdown in coverage while the pass rush develops.
Yet, the same concern can be flipped into a positive. Namely, by acknowledging how sticky coverage can create more time for those along the front to put heat on the pocket.
Ideally, an elite defense operates with a mix of more than solid coverage and pressure. The difference is head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. can scheme ways to generate pressure, but it will be tougher to mask ongoing struggles on the back end.
