The Saints are sending Pro Bowl CB to the NFC opponent to help the Falcons' rival in 2024

The Atlanta Falcons experienced the worst of both worlds in a deal that was completed just hours before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the New Orleans Saints have sent Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders. The Saints included a 2025 fifth-round pick in the deal and received a 2025 third-, fourth- and sixth-round pick in return.

Lattimore is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and has not made the Pro Bowl since 2021. But he was still one of the best defensive backs available before the NFL trade deadline on November 5th.

Lattimore should make a strong secondary in Washington even stronger. The Commanders enter Week 10 ranked eighth in passing positions allowed.

The Falcons will visit the Commanders in Week 17. As of November 5th, both teams are in first place, so each team should feel good about their playoff chances.

But if the Philadelphia Eagles and/or Tampa Bay Buccaneers push in their respective divisions, the Atlanta-Washington showdown could turn into a de facto playoff game with the loser sitting out January.

At the very least, the Falcons-Commanders matchup will likely decide playoff placement, meaning the winner could see an “easier” matchup in the first round. In this scenario, the winner would also be the home team if the two clubs meet again in the playoffs.

By the time the Falcons face the Commanders, Lattimore will have spent more than seven weeks with his new team.

In the short term, the Falcons don't have to worry about Lattimore returning to the field this week. On November 10, they visit the Saints, who are undergoing significant organizational changes this week.

But in the long run, the Falcons will have to contend with a Saints franchise that just brought in even more valuable draft capital. It's only a middle round pick, but it could give New Orleans a significant advantage over the Falcons next April.

The Falcons only have two selections left after the first two rounds in the 2025 draft. It could be even less if the Falcons use a draft pick in their own trade on Tuesday.