ESPN proposes an awful trade for the Saints

The New Orleans Saints are not shopping star cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Even with that being clear, many national media outlets continue to bring up the concept. 

On one hand, that's fair because the Saints did adjust Lattimore's contract early in the offseason to make him more movable over the summer. On the flip-side, the front office and Dennis Allen have both shot down the idea that they are shopping their top CB. 

ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed a Marshon Lattimore trade 

In a division in which the Texans and Titans have made major wide receiver investments this offseason, adding a veteran option across from Tyson Campbell makes sense for the Jags, who have extra picks in Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2025 draft after trading down with the Vikings last month. Sending a fourth-rounder to the Saints would clear up a financial and positional logjam for New Orleans and land an immediate plug-and-play starter at a position of need for Jacksonville. -- Barnwell via ESPN

Why does this deal not make sense for the Saints?

Well, the Saints still view themselves as contenders for the NFC South crown and potentially an NFC title. They may be incorrect about those assumptions, but regardless, Lattimore helps them win now. 

Dennis Allen needs to do that to keep his job. Derek Carr needs that success to keep the pressure off of himself regarding his contract. 

Trading Lattimore is not the right decision at this point. If they don't find success and want to move him at this year's trade deadline, sure. As for now, they cannot ship off a potential Pro Bowl cornerback for a day three pick in next year's draft. 

Instead, address the tension between Lattimore and the staff - if it remains during this offseason. The Saints cannot afford to settle on moving him just for the sake of moving him. The market for CBs has proven to be weak in recent years, and Lattimore's return won't prove to be different.

Drafting Kool-Aid McKinstry does add depth in the secondary for New Orleans, but you cannot project him to replace the type of production that Lattimore can provide when healthy.