NFC team viewed as landing spot for Patriots veteran reportedly making trade

The Washington Commanders were expected to move up at cornerback before the NFL deadline, and New England Patriots veteran Jonathan Jones was among the most anticipated players to land in the nation's capital.

However, Washington will not make a deal for Jones.

The Commanders acquired veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore in a trade with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport first reported. New Orleans received a third-round pick for Lattimore about three hours before the league's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said New England intends to keep “cultural guys” like Jones in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It was never confirmed that the Patriots would be shopping Jones. But there was a lot of speculation about the 31-year-old, whose contract is expiring.

It's easy to see why Washington would prefer Lattimore to Jones or other options. The 2017 first-round pick is three years younger (28), performs better in coverage and has a resume that includes four Pro Bowl nominations during his eight-year tenure in New Orleans.

Lattimore, who signed a five-year, $97.6 million contract with the Saints, is under contract through 2026.