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Everything to know about Marshon Lattimore
By Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
April 27, 2017 at 9:28 PM, updated April 27, 2017 at 9:44 PM

The New Orleans Saints used the No. 11 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Marshon Lattimore, a cornerback from Ohio State.

Here's everything you need to know about him.

Up-and-down in high school. As a freshman, Rivals.com gave Marshon Lattimore an early 5-star ranking, citing the fluidness in his game. When he committed to Ohio State, they dropped him down to 4 stars. Lattimore didn't progress much between his junior and senior seasons, allowing others across the nation to catch up to him.

Lattimore finished as the No. 7 ranked cornerback in the nation, 134th overall prospect, and third best in his home state of Ohio. He was one of the six finalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year award.

Questionable injury history. Lattimore has drawn some comparisons to ex-Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, and not for good reasons. While a freaky athlete and undoubtedly talented, Lattimore dealt with hamstring issues his first couple of seasons with the Buckeyes. He couldn't finish the 2014 or 2015 seasons because of them.

College stats. Lattimore was a full-time starter in 2016, and paired with Malik Hooker (safety) and Gaeron Conley (cornerback) to form one of the better secondaries in the nation. He had 41 tackles, four interceptions and nine defended passes last year.

According to PFF, Lattimore allowed an NFL passer rating of just 30.2 on throws into his coverage in 2016. The NFL passer rating for throwing the ball away on every single play is 39.6. This means quarterbacks were better off throwing the ball into the ground each play instead of targeting Lattimore.

Strengths (via NFL.com): Uber-athlete. Parks under receiver's chin at line of scrimmage. Uses disruptive inside hand to slow the release and can punch out of his pedal. Patient from his press, utilizing well-timed opening to match the receiver. Plays with explosive hip flip that jump-starts him into top speed when forced to turn and run. Has balance and footwork to remain in phase with target throughout the route. Has electric, flat-footed closing burst. Can shadow a nine route from release to completion. Has twitch to drive hard toward the throw from his lateral shuffle. Plays with plus instincts.

Weaknesses (via NFL.com): Only one year of starting experience. Wasn't tested by high-end receiving talent very often. Will be much tougher to consistently slow NFL receivers with jam and might have to learn to play some off coverage. Showed slight transition hitch when matched up against in inside release. Will read receiver's eyes to assess ball-timing down the field rather than getting his head around early. Film shows infrequent issues recovering against speed merchants.

NFL Draft 2017: Everything to know about Marshon Lattimore, Saints' 1st-round pick | NJ.com

foreverfan

Saints got the #1 Rated CB and OT in the draft.

You can't blame the drafting scouts for this draft
as those players just fell to the Saints just like that.

burningmetal

I'm telling you, there is no coincidence that we keep taking Ohio State players. I think Marshon Lattimore probably is indeed the best cornerback in the draft. But I don't see how he could have been the best player available, given some of the others who were there. But with the Saints, Ohio State players just shoot up their boards, for whatever reason.

I'm not really upset with this pick, as I believe in his ability, but I didn't see this pick coming with the guys who were on the board. This, for me, is just further confirmation about what I've believed with the Saints and OSU. Good player, though.

We still have enormous pass rushing questions. Maybe we get a guy like Tim Williams. He can certainly get up the field, but he was an absolute one trick pony in college, so I don't know how reliable he would be.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

SmashMouth

WTF... no trade for Butler?!?!


Good move by Da Saints!

|Mitch|

I'm beginning to believe that they believe that Okafor will be starting opposite Cam Jordan...

Pass Rush could be already solved and we don't realize it

nola_swammi

Love this pick but as much as I love this pick I hate the 32 pick. All the top pass rushers were gone would've preferred we traded down or picked forest lamp instead due to his hip surgery and being a 1 year starter

FinSaint

In order to trade down, you need a partner willing to trade up. That might've been the case if Foster hadn't been taken with the previous pick, but then again the Saints would've surely picked him themselves.

Sent from my FRD-L19 using Tapatalk

Crusader

Yeah, too many peopel on here seem to Think trading down is a really easy thing to do when its not. Considering how loaded this draft is in the second and third round I can see why not many teams are interested in moving up.

spkb25

And I actually really love the pick at 32. Would have been nice if Charles fell to us, but I like the value in the pick, it is a need, and it all starts up front.

WillMacKenzie

Lattimore pulled a hammy getting out of his seat. Looks like we'll have the strongest IR in the draft.