Amid rumors that All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey could be traded soon, we break down his best fits and the trade packages that could land him.
There’s been plenty of buzz around the availability of Jalen Ramsey after the Jacksonville Jaguars refused to hand him an extension this offseason, and subsequently saw head coach Doug Marrone engage in a sideline shouting match this past week. Ramsey wants out, and teams are lining up to take advantage of the Jaguars’ unwillingness to make Ramsey the face of their franchise.
Ramsey’s reputation and self-confidence is as good as it gets. He’s an excellent cornerback, relying on physicality and elite reaction speed to challenge receptions at the catch point. He’s not a perfect technician and will wander at times, but the playmaking he brings at age 24 makes him highly valuable.
The last time a cornerback was moved of his pedigree was Marcus Peters, who had more locker room issues than Ramsey and was more scheme-dependent. He went for just a second and fourth-round pick because he also had a say in where he would go.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson specifically mentioned Kansas City, Baltimore, Minnesota, Oakland, Philadelphia and Seattle as strong bidders, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added Cleveland as well. The asking price, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, is two first round picks.
It’s unlikely Ramsey fetches that value. He needs a new deal eventually, and it could be a mega-deal if he waits out the next two years when a new CBA will be put into effect. And by that, I don’t mean the top corner contract, I mean something that will smash any contract we’ve seen for a secondary player.
The NFL’s revenue is continuing its climb, and Ramsey will benefit sooner than later.
We’re going to look at potential deals for each of those potential suitors listed above, in order from the team that makes the least sense to the most sense.
Oakland Raiders
Proposed trade: 2020 Bears first rounder, 2020 Bears third rounder, CB Trayvon Mullen
Why they should do it:
Adding an elite talent at a premier position is always a good thing. And Ramsey would be given slack by head coach Jon Gruden, who was willing to tolerate an insane amount of self-sabotage from Antonio Brown already this offseason. Ramsey would pair with Gareon Conley wonderfully as two physical and balanced man corners.
The other selling point for Oakland is the ability to reallocate their assets from the Khalil Mack trade. The Bears picks are less likely to be as high as their own, and it’s easier to swallow losing them with the caliber of return. And since Ramsey, Conley and Mullen couldn’t play together with their skill sets, losing Mullen is a sunk cost in the big picture.
Why they shouldn’t:
Losing assets at all is tough for a rebuilding team. If Mullen can turn into a decent starter, and the Bears end up being mediocre or worse, the Raiders would be better off stashing their assets and fully stocking this roster. Of course, that presumes Mike Mayock and Gruden will hit on these picks.
There’s risk that Ramsey won’t enjoy the chaotic Raiders situation and will flee to a winner when he can. They’re easily the worst team to be mentioned by insiders, and though he helps, they can take a top corner with their own first rounder this year and save themselves money, picks and potential headaches that come with Ramsey.
The Raiders should pass.