Jalen Ramsey is a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro who has consistently been one of the best corners in football over the last decade.
It’s not a surprise that Ramsey was dealt out of Miami with his relationship with head coach Mike McDaniel strained, but the destination was surprising.
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a day-three pick swap on June 30. The deal sent shockwaves through the NFL and was the first time in over two
decades that two All-Pro players were traded for each other.
Ramsey, 30, missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in five years despite playing all 17 games and grabbing two interceptions. Ramsey ranked 17th of 222 corners by PFF and earned an 85.7 run grade, 10th in football. He earned a 71.9 pass grade, good for 39th.
The question numbers are solid, but the question remains: Can Ramsey still play?
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released his researched list of the top 10 cornerbacks, voted on by 70 execs, coaches, and scouts.
Ramsey didn’t crack the top 10. In a bit of a surprise, the veteran corner just missed out after up-and-coming players Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles) and Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks) earned the final two spots.
Fowler included notes from voters who gave constructive criticism of Ramsey’s game.
“He had a down year last year, but he still had flashes of being the gold standard at corner,” one NFL personnel director told ESPN. “His mix of athletic ability/fluidity, speed and movement skills at that size is rare. He can play man or zone coverage, can play inside as a nickel and has the ability to move to free safety if he wanted to.”
Fowler noted that Witherspoon won a tiebreaker with Ramsey for the No. 10 spot after back-to-back Pro Bowls, but that the trade to Pittsburgh “should bolster his Hall of Fame track.”
JALEN RAMSEY CALLED GAME
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 19, 2023
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/97MMB37z3s
One AFC evaluator thinks Ramsey is better off at nickel and playing in certain packages. Traditionally an outside corner, Ramsey has played in the slot and could bounce around the field.
Trading Fitzpatrick opens the possibility of Ramsey, or Darius Slay, playing an increased role at safety. The Steelers could also play Ramsey, Elliott, Joey Porter Jr., and DeShon Elliott on the field at the same time and show different looks at opponents.
“Still a good starter but is in physical decline,” an AFC executive said to Fowler and the ESPN staff. “You could make the argument he’s still top 10, but he’s just outside of it for me.”
Ramsey will turn 31 on October 24. Just outside of it is where Ramsey fell.
Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II (Broncos) ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive year. Browns corner Denzel Ward (No. 3) is the only AFC North defender on the list. Derek Stingley Jr. (No. 2 - Texans), Trent McDuffie (No. 4 - Chiefs), and Sauce Gardner (No. 5 - Jets) round out the top five list.
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