New CB Option Emerges for Steelers
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will sort through cornerback options this offseason, in hopes of pairing another young star with Joey Porter Jr. And as their list of candidates continues to change, a new name has emerged as a potential option.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the New Orleans Saints are expected to make Marshon Lattimore available for trade this offseason, ending their run with the former first-round pick. At 27-years-old, Lattimore is a four-time Pro Bowler and yet to have a season without an interception.
"Several teams believe Saints corner Marshon Lattimore -- whose base salary is a paltry $1.2 million due to a restructure -- is also available via a trade," Fowler writes.
At $1.2 million, the Steelers could afford Lattimore with ease. This season, he carries a $14.6 million cap hit, but that number increases to $31.4 million next season and $28.5 million the year after. Those numbers are more concerning than his 2024 cap hit, but could still be managed through restructures and void years if Pittsburgh wanted to lower his hit.
As for trade value, it's hard to imagine Lattimore goes for anything less than a second-round pick, and could be worth more. Coming off an ankle injury and playing just 17 games the last two seasons could keep things reasonable, but the expectation shouldn't be that any team could make a sneaky trade for cheap.
Still, the option is on the table. Pittsburgh probably wouldn't mind pairing a proven star next to Porter Jr., and if Lattimore has several years left before a team is worried of a drop off in talent, it removes any worry about having to replace him in the next few seasons.
The team's direction in the NFL Draft could shape their decision on a trade, but if they don't believe they'll land a big name in the first few rounds, maybe a trade is on their mind. And much like L'Jarius Sneed and Jaylon Johnson, Lattimore should be considered an option.
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