Denver Broncos: 3 potential cap-casualties to be interested in
By Noah Smith
2. Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have worked the salary cap for many years, all in an effort to give Drew Brees a second Super Bowl ring. 2020 was seemingly the final push for Brees and the Saints, but with Brees mulling retirement, the time has come for the bottom to fall out on the Saints’ roster.
The New Orleans Saints currently sit at $69.5 Million dollars over the salary cap and will have to make major moves this offseason to get below the salary cap to avoid punishment from the NFL. Notable players like Janoris Jenkins, Kwon Alexander, and even former 1st round pick Ryan Ramczyk will likely be pushed out the door.
Among this group: star cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
Like Ramczyk, Lattimore was a 1st round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and contributed immediately to the Saints’ secondary winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Lattimore has been one of the better young corners in the NFL and is up for a sizable contract.
The Saints may have to move on from Lattimore to avoid fines from the NFL and could look to shop him in the trade market. However, with several excellent options at cornerback in the draft, the Saints’ best option may be to cut Lattimore.
If Lattimore becomes a cap-casualty free agent, the Denver Broncos should be all-in on making Lattimore a Bronco. Lattimore has excellent length and athleticism and would be a great fit as a boundary cornerback in Vic Fangio’s defense.
The Saints hold all the power in Lattimore’s future and would be wise to shop him for a cornerback needy team like the Broncos. However, if the Saints decide to cut Marshon Lattimore, George Paton should be hard at work to make Lattimore a Denver Bronco.