One of the Las Vegas Raiders’ top needs coming into the offseason was a cornerback, but the franchise has been shockingly slack in filling that position.
The team waited until the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select a cornerback, as they did not sign any noteworthy cornerbacks.
That doesn’t mean the team can’t still locate a productive cornerback, though. Kool-Aid McKinstry was selected by the New Orleans Saints with a second-round pick, suggesting that they may be considering a trade away from standout cornerback Marcus Lattimore.
Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Focus then proposed a trade that would send Lattimore to the Raiders in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick that was conditional on playing time and could potentially be upgraded to a fourth-round pick.
In a post published on May 6, Robinson stated, “Drafting a second-round cornerback might not have signaled a potential Lattimore trade on its own.” But as Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald reported in March, New Orleans reworked Lattimore’s deal this offseason to provide room for a trade after June 1.
“Las Vegas needs cornerback assistance badly, but Decamerion Richardson of Mississippi State was the first pick made on Day 3 of the draft. In 2024, Lattimore’s contract with the Raiders might have a cap charge of less than $4 million, depending on whether they choose to exercise his option.
Lattimore, who is just 27 years old, has played in four Pro Bowls. But because of injuries, he has missed a total of 17 games over the past two seasons, which is perhaps why Robinson believes he might be dealt for so little.
New Orleans Saints Not ‘Actively’ Looking to Trade Marshon Lattimore
Since joining the Saints in 2017, Lattimore has established himself as one of the team’s greatest players. It might be desirable for New Orleans to move on from Lattimore’s five-year, $97.6 million contract, since the team still struggles with wage caps.
Mickey Loomis, the general manager, didn’t rule out trading the cornerback during a recent discussion about the potential.
On the May 3 broadcast of “Schein on Sports,” Loomis stated, “When a guy is a really good player for your team, they’re not on the market per se, but there are times when you get a call and somebody makes a proposal and it might make sense for you.” That applies to every member of your team. You should at least consider an offer you can’t turn down. That’s what I would suggest, then.
I’m not attempting to exchange Marshon right now. Marshon is a superb player who excels as a cornerback. We need to move past the fact that he has missed a few seasons due to injuries, which he sustained. It’s not his fault; the situation is what it is. That is our current situation.
Should Las Vegas Raiders Pursue Marshon Lattimore?
Due to his history of injuries, Lattimore is a dangerous trade target for any team, but obtaining one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks with a conditional fifth-round pick would only cost very little.
Additionally, the Raiders wouldn’t be stuck with him for very long if he couldn’t stay healthy because he just has two years left on his contract.
It’s difficult to understand how Las Vegas could reject this trade offer. For a fourth-round choice at most, they would acquire a legitimate star cornerback who is only 27 years old.
Although the injuries are rather concerning, he still has time to heal. The Raiders may have a top-five defense the following season if they add Lattimore, who would give them a reliable secondary.
Since 2019, Austin Boyd has covered the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy.com. Originally from Los Angeles and currently residing in Las Vegas, he has been featured on Heavy with interviews with NFL players Joe Montana and Darren Waller as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at “The Shop.”Additional details regarding Austin Boyd.
