Our countdown to kickoff continues on with just 23 days until the New Orleans Saints face off against the division-rival Carolina Panthers in Week 1. To mark this, we’re going to give a little background on arguably the team’s most talented player in cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Here’s everything to know about Lattimore, who just recently got back on the practice field after a few weeks of spectating due to injury:
- Name (Age): Marshon Lattimore (28)
- Position: Cornerback
- Height, weight: 6-foot, 192 pounds
- Relative Athletic Score: 10.0
- 2024 salary cap hit: $14,616,400
- College: Ohio State
- Drafted: Round 1, No. 11 (2017, New Orleans Saints)
- NFL experience: 8th season
The New Orleans Saints had Marshon Lattimore fall into their lap during the 2017 draft. Regarded as the best cornerback in college football, Lattimore was projected to go in the top five or ten picks. As Lattimore shockingly slipped down the draft board, the Saints making him their selection at no. 11 was a no brainer. A team that hadn’t had a true No. 1 corner since Jabari Greer.
As a rookie Lattimore quickly came onto the scene, cementing himself as one of the leagues top corner’s in year one. The team felt comfortable early on matching him up with some of the league’s best receivers and he more than lived up to the challenge. His five interceptions and 22 pass deflections were both good for third in the NFL in 2017, leading him to his first Pro Bowl and a Defensive Rookie of the Year honor.
In the following seasons, Lattimore continued to maintain consistency, heading to three more Pro Bowls while bolstering the Saints defense to elite status, something they hadn’t experienced in a while. Currently, out of all active cornerbacks, Lattimore is fourth in the NFL with 86 passes defended despite missing much of the last two seasons due to injury. That’s a stat that puts opposing offenses on notice.
Heading into 2024, there was much speculation that Lattimore was made available via trade in the offseason, due to a contract conversion that indicated the possibility of that. However, with that being said Lattimore put the trade talk asleep on the first day of training camp where he not only participated but spoke about the situation. Lattimore stated that being traded wasn’t something that he wanted and that he and head coach Dennis Allen have buried the hatchet when it came to their personal situation.
With Lattimore slated to be back on the practice field and full-go rather soon, it’s looking like the Saints will be boasting one of the leagues most elite secondaries come Week 1. We should see a highly motivated No. 23 on the perimeter in 2024.
