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5 players who Saints need to be great in 2020

By Mike Phillips

Saints receiver Michael Thomas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Saints receiver Michael Thomas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 16: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints reacts against the Indianapolis Colts during a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 16, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 16: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints reacts against the Indianapolis Colts during a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 16, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints x-factor: Marshon Lattimore

The modern NFL is a passing league and teams not only need to pass the football, but they need to find a way to stop opposing passers. That means the Saints need a big year out of their top cover corner, Marshon Lattimore.

Since he entered the NFL in 2017, Lattimore has become a shutdown guy for the Saints. Lattimore has become a two-time Pro Bowler as well, effectively blanketing one side of the field and taking away the opposition’s top receiver.

That trend has to continue in 2020 as New Orleans is set to face off with some of the most prolific passing offenses in the NFL. Games against the San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kansas City Chiefs will put a severe strain on the Saints’ secondary, putting pressure on Lattimore to do his job very well.

If Lattimore can continue to stifle receivers like Mike Evans, Julio Jones and Tyreek Hill, the Saints will have an excellent chance to win those games. Any dip in Lattimore’s performance could lead to serious issues on the defensive side of the ball.

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