Detroit Lions would be a “natural fit” for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Marshon Lattimore ‘Natural’ to Replace Cam Sutton
After releasing Cameron Sutton, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press contended that the Detroit Lions would be a “natural fit” for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
This offseason, the Detroit Lions re-signed two cornerbacks and added two more as free agents. However, the Lions may be looking for a starter cornerback again after cutting Cameron Sutton. Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints is one of the more fascinating choices.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press stated that the Lions may target four experienced cornerbacks, including Lattimore.
For cap reasons, the Saints might not be able to deal Lattimore until later in the spring, but if they’re looking for suitors, Detroit would be a great fit.
Birkett penned this. Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator for the Lions, coached Latimore during his first four NFL seasons. Due to injuries, he has missed 17 games over the last two seasons.
In September 2021, Lattimore agreed to a $97.6 million, five-year deal. That deal has three years left on it.
The terms of that contract will probably have a big impact on the Saints’ ability to move the cornerback and the amount of money they get in return.
His recent history of injuries will also be important.In 2022, Lattimore missed ten games due to a ruptured kidney.He suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of the final seven games in 2023.
Last season, Langitor recorded 48 total tackles in 10 games, including 2 tackles for loss, 8 pass defenses, and 1 interception.
As the eleventh overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft, Lattimore started his career.He had an immediate effect on the Saints, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year after intercepting five passes in his rookie campaign.
Lattimore was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017. Before his injury issues throughout the previous two seasons, he was a Pro Bowl player from 2019 to 21 as well.
Given his skill as a top-tier cover cornerback, Lattimore is a “natural fit” with the Lions if he stays healthy through 2024.
During the 2023 season, Detroit’s main vulnerability was their pass defense.In terms of passing yards allowed, the Lions were 27th at the end of the regular season. In terms of net yards allowed per pass attempt, they finished tied for 29th place.
Lattimore might start in Detroit opposite Carlton Davis, whom the Lions obtained from the Tampa Bay Bucs in a trade. Lattimore and Davis were both ranked in the top 15 cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus during the 2021 season, which was the last in which Lattimore participated in at least 16 games.
In 2024, pairing Lattimore and Davis might significantly strengthen the Lions’ pass defense.
But the issue remains: How much would that set you back?If the Saints transfer Lattimore before June 1st, they may be subject to a dead cap hit of up to $45 million.
Therefore, Drew Collings of Who Dat Dish suggested that the Saints acquire a first-round selection in exchange for Lattimore in order to justify taking the dead cap charge.
After trading a third-round pick for Davis, the Lions will probably find that to be an excessive price. However, after June 1, the Lions might be able to sign Lattimore for less money in exchange for a trade.
Given that they cut Sutton on March 21, the Lions may be looking for a new starting cornerback.
The Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office released a statement on March 20 stating that Sutton was released by the Lions following a police search.
Sutton was wanted for “aggravated battery—domestic violence,” according to a warrant the sheriff’s office released on X (previously Twitter). Sutton was wanted for felony domestic violence via strangulation, the officials explained.
According to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, Sutton has been contacted by the police “multiple times.” Yet they’ve been unable to get through to him.
Sutton started 17 of the Lions’ regular season games. In addition to 4 tackles for loss, 6 pass defenses, and 1 interception, he recorded 65 total tackles.Sutton inked a three-year, $33 million deal with the Lions.
