Chiefs among teams interested in Saints CB Marshon Lattimore; KC also has its sights set on another WR?

Trade rumors swirled around the Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore This offseason and with the trade deadline just two days away, those rumors are on the rise again. As ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, multiple teams have called New Orleans about Lattimore, including the Chiefs.

Kansas City has already made two notable deals in recent weeks, acquiring WR DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans and DE Josh Uche from the Patriots. However, both Schefter and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) note that the defending champions may not be done yet, with Russini noting that another receiver and a “young, quick corner” are on the club's wish list.

The 28-year-old Lattimore may not fit the sports world's definition of “young,” but he is a four-time Pro Bowler who is still playing at a high level. Through seven games in 2024, Lattimore has earned a 71.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, the 26th highest grade in the league through 110 qualifying games. He has also given opposing quarterbacks a modest 69.1 rating.

The Saints considered the possibility of signing Lattimore this offseason before deciding to retain the No. 11 overall pick in the 2017 draft, and they have him under the club's control through 2026. Therefore, a premium package may be required to convince GM Mickey Loomis to pull the trigger, and Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports says it's unclear how interested Loomis might be in a Lattimore trade.

Plus, as Schefter notes, Lattimore's health could give potential suitors pause. Lattimore will miss today's game against the Panthers due to a hamstring injury that has already forced him to miss the club's Week 2 contest. He also struggled with a hip injury during training camp. So while Schultz acknowledges that a loss to inferior Carolina – which would drop the Saints to 2-7 – could prompt Loomis to make several plays, Lattimore may not be one of the players leaving New Orleans.

For the second straight year, the Chiefs are winning games with their star quarterback defense Patrick Mahomes threw just eight touchdowns against a league-worst nine interceptions. However, KC lost their starting CB Jaylen Watson for the season due to a broken ankle and the addition of Lattimore as a bookend to another boundary corner and First Team All-Pro player Trent McDuffie would further strengthen DC Steve Spagnuolois already a strong unit that currently ranks fifth in the league in total defense.

The Chiefs' WR corps was a weak spot for much of the 2023 season, and the club looked to solidify that group through selection Xavier Worthy in the first round of this year's draft and adding Marquise Brown in free agency. While Worthy flashed at times, Brown suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in August Rashee Rice was out for the year with a knee injury in Week 4. A late summer addition, JuJu Smith-SchusterHe is battling a thigh problem Skyy Moore recently landed on injured reserve with a core muscle injury. Even with Hopkins now on the roster, it makes sense for the Chiefs to look for another pass catcher to help Mahomes and the offense get back on track.