The Green Bay Packers faced a disheartening setback when their NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions, swooped in during the 2024 NFL Draft. The Lions executed a savvy trade with the Dallas Cowboys to secure former Alabama defensive back Terrion Arnold just one pick ahead of the Packers. Despite Green Bay addressing their offensive line needs by selecting Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan, losing Arnold to Detroit still stings.
Marshon Lattimore: The Cornerback Solution
Amid the Packers’ pursuit of secondary reinforcement, a star cornerback stands out: Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints. His potential acquisition could compensate for Arnold’s absence, providing Green Bay with an elite defensive playmaker to shore up their pass coverage. However, getting Lattimore won’t come cheap.
The Cost of Trading for Marshon Lattimore
To lure Lattimore away from the Saints, Green Bay would need to surrender significant draft assets. The estimated price includes four picks across two drafts: a 2025 first- and fourth-rounder, and a 2026 second- and seventh-rounder. Trading within the same conference could inflate the cost, but the Packers would pay only about $65,000 more than the Saints for Lattimore’s services.
I just stumbled across this clip from Saints-Packers last year and it’s just a friendly reminder that Marshon Lattimore is a really good football player.
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) September 10, 2021
Green Bay Packers Eyeing a Championship Defense
Securing Lattimore would fortify a Packers defense vying for another Lombardi Trophy. Though quarterback Jordan Love is no longer on his rookie deal, his current salary provides Green Bay flexibility to bolster their defense. The team remains a strong playoff contender with eyes on dethroning the Lions in the NFC North.
New Orleans Saints Weighing a Rebuild
For the Saints, parting ways with their best cornerback might be an essential step toward a long-overdue rebuild. With head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr potentially facing uncertain futures, trading Lattimore would signal a shift towards developing young talent and gathering future assets.
A Calculated Gamble
Ultimately, this high-stakes trade could redefine the trajectory of both teams. While Green Bay would pay a steep price in draft capital, the move could mirror their 2020s version of the Charles Woodson signing, a key component of their Super Bowl XLV-winning defense. Meanwhile, New Orleans would be conceding that their post-Drew Brees era requires a new direction.
Source: Fansided
