When the Washington Commanders traded for cornerback Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline last season, it wasn’t just a trade to help boost a surprising 2024 playoff run. Lattimore had 2.5 seasons remaining on his contract at a reasonable rate for a Pro Bowl-level cornerback.
When Washington traded for Lattimore, he was dealing with a hamstring injury. That injury persisted throughout the remainder of last season, and Lattimore never looked like one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks. GM Adam Peters made it clear this offseason that the trade wasn’t just about 2024. It was about finding an elite-level player at one of the game’s most important positions with multiple years of team control. Peters expressed confidence that a full offseason with Washington, with Lattimore healthy, would make a world of difference.
The 2025 season hasn’t even begun, but Peters’ patience appears to be paying off. Lattimore looked great in training camp. He’s fully healthy and motivated. Ex-NFL agent and current analyst for CBS Sports, Joel Corry, recently named 15 players due for a bounce-back season in 2025. Lattimore was on the list.
A surprising 7-2 start last season prompted the Commanders to address a glaring weakness at cornerback at the trade deadline as Washington dealt 2025 third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks to the New Orleans Saints for Lattimore and a 2025 fifth-round pick. A hamstring injury sidelined Lattimore for the first four games after the trade. Lattimore, who was still bothered by his hamstring, had rough outings against A.J. Brown and Mike Evans in the playoffs when the Commanders faced the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The expectation is for a healthy Lattimore to regain the form that led to four Pro Bowl berths in eight NFL seasons. If that doesn’t happen, the Commanders could start regretting the trade.
The Commanders have completely rebuilt the cornerback position since Peters and coach Dan Quinn took over in 2024. Out are Emmanuel Forbes, Benjamin St-Juste, and Michael Davis. In are Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Jonathan Jones, rookie second-round pick Trey Amos, and Noah Igbinoghene. That’s a significant upgrade. If Lattimore is the Lattimore of old, the trade will be looked upon favorably.
Lattimore wasn’t the only Commander to make Corry’s list. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was also included.
The handwriting was on the wall for Samuel with the San Francisco 49ers because wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was selected 31st overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brandon Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension shortly before the regular season started and Jauan Jennings took a big step forward. The Commanders acquired Samuel for a 2025 fifth-round pick in March.
Samuel’s last highly productive season was in 2021, when he had career highs of 77 receptions for 1,405 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns. He also had 365 yards on the ground. Samuel is in the final year of a three-year, $71.55 million extension, averaging $23.85 million per year, he signed in 2022 following his first-team All-Pro season.
In the three seasons since signing the deal, Samuel has averaged just under 56 catches, a little more than 731 yards receiving and seven total touchdowns. Samuel reportedly had an impressive training camp for the Commanders. It will need to carry over to the regular season for Samuel, who turns 30 in January, to avoid a pay cut on his next contract.
The Commanders are thrilled with Samuel. They only traded a fifth-round pick for a player who can be one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive weapons. If Lattimore and Samuel return to their previous forms, it could be another season to remember in Washington.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders have two top bounce-back candidates for 2025