New Orleans Saints Eye Replacement for Marshon Lattimore with Prodigy Will Johnson in Upcoming Draft

The New Orleans Saints are poised to enhance their defense by targeting standout cornerback Will Johnson in the 2024 NFL Draft, following the recent trade of star cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders. This significant move, which netted the Saints third, fourth, and sixth-round picks for 2025, signals the team’s commitment to a thorough rebuild as they face a projected $63 million cap deficit in the coming seasons.

With Lattimore’s departure, the Saints now have a pressing need to strengthen their secondary. NFL analyst Vinnie Iyer from Sporting News has highlighted this gap by predicting the Saints will select Johnson, a highly regarded talent from the University of Michigan, with the 10th overall pick in his latest mock draft.

Johnson possesses the attributes necessary to step into Lattimore’s role effectively. Standing out as one of the premier cornerbacks in the draft, Johnson has achieved impressive statistics during his time with the Wolverines. Over three seasons, he has accumulated 68 tackles, nine interceptions, and 10 passes defended. Although an injury limited him to only six games in 2024, his potential makes him a compelling fit for the Saints’ defensive strategy as they seek to improve their depth and performance in the secondary.

As the New Orleans Saints focus on assembling a younger roster, drafting Will Johnson would mark a significant milestone in their quest to rebuild and revitalize their defense. Fans can look forward to seeing how this promising cornerback addition could help shift the team’s direction moving forward.