Jaguars are being urged to make a last-minute trade for CB help as the deadline for the cut approaches
The Jacksonville Jaguars have begun trimming down their roster ahead of the deadline. One area that could cause them problems due to the options available is cornerback. But despite the strength at that position, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes the Jags still have room to add reinforcements.
Kay has compiled a list of last-minute trades every NFL team should make and suggests Jacksonville sign Marshon Lattimore, arguing that they need to turn a perceived weakness into a strength if they want to compete in the AFC South.
“If the Jaguars are going to deal with the litany of top quarterbacks they face in 2024 and potentially the playoffs, there’s no doubt that a healthy Lattimore would be an asset. Giving up a second-day pick may be a bitter pill to swallow, but it’s a move Jacksonville should make to fill the biggest hole on the roster.”
Kay believes a third-round pick should be enough to sign Lattimore. On the other hand, the Jaguars would also have to absorb his massive salary cap hit for 2024. Earlier this year, New Orleans converted his base salary into a signing bonus that will be paid out by the team that signs him before the start of the regular season.
Lattimore’s contract runs through 2026. He will have salary cap hits of $16 million and $16.5 million over the next two years. The catch is that his salary is not guaranteed, so Jacksonville or any other team could trade him in 2025 with no further financial commitment.
Earlier this year, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said they weren’t “actively” looking for Lattimore, with “active” being the key word. That means they aren’t looking for a trade partner, but wouldn’t mind trading him away if they get a tempting offer. A third-round pick is certainly good enough. However, it’s hard to imagine them getting that kind of compensation based on his salary. A fifth- or sixth-round selection is more realistic.
Lattimore, a first-round pick in the 2017 draft, has spent his entire career in the Big Easy, making four Pro Bowls along the way. Although injuries have limited his availability the past two years, the Ohio State product can still play at a high level. Over the past two years, he has allowed just one touchdown and has a completion percentage of less than 60 percent.
Like any team, the Jacksonville Jaguars will welcome talented players with open arms. They currently have no shortage of cornerback reinforcements – no matter what the national media says – but Marshon Lattimore would definitely be a strong addition to the secondary. However, there are two potential obstacles that would make a transfer impossible.
First, the Jaguars have both depth and talent at the cornerback position. Their starting duo on the perimeter includes Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby. The former just signed a large contract extension, while the latter has proven he’s still reliable. Behind them is rookie Jarrian Jones, who made a strong impression in the offseason. On the bench are Deantre Prince and Montaric Brown.
If Jacksonville were to sign Lattimore, it could hinder the development of Jones and Prince. After all, management wouldn’t trade him just to keep him on the bench. For the sake of argument, let’s say general manager Trent Baalke went through with the trade. What would you do with Darby or Jones then?
Another reason hindering the move is Lattimore’s massive salary cap. It’s hard to imagine the Jaguars spending $15 million (with $12 million in dead money) on a one-year loan. Maybe it would make sense if he had a starring role in Jacksonville, but that probably wouldn’t be the case. Essentially, the veteran cornerback would be a costly luxury.
The bottom line is that Marshon Lattimore is still full of energy, so the Jaguars wouldn’t hesitate to sign him. But since he’s doing that, don’t expect them to be on the phone with the Saints anytime soon.
