NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported last week that the Rams are “very likely” to trade All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey this offseason. Despite Ramsey having his own thoughts on his situation, it does feel like Los Angeles will deal him as they retool. With that in mind, these are five of the top potential destinations for Ramsey if a trade does take place in the coming weeks.
Dallas Cowboys
Ramsey says he grew up a Cowboys fan and that the team told him they were going to draft him in 2016 (they ultimately did not, going with running back Ezekiel Elliott). Several years later, it might make sense for Dallas to finally add the Florida State product while looking to get over the hump and make a deep postseason run to get back to a conference championship game for the first time since 1996. Ramsey paired with Trevon Diggs would create a tremendous playmaking duo of cornerbacks and can help the Cowboys keep up with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith from the defending NFC champion and division rival Eagles.
Cincinnati Bengals
According to Vegas, the Bengals are among the top teams with the best odds to land Ramsey this offseason. The relationship between Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who was an assistant with the Rams before taking the head job in Cincy and then lost to LA in the Super Bowl last year, can’t hurt when trying potentially make a deal, especially considering the Rams might not be able to get a ton in a Ramsey trade because of the contract situation. Also, the Rams might prefer to trade Ramsey to the other conference. Chidobe Awuzie will be back in 2023 after his torn ACL last season, and Cam Taylor-Britt had a strong rookie year—but you can’t have enough cornerbacks.
New York Jets
The same goes for the Jets, who were very happy with the play from rookie All-Pro Sauce Gardner, promising now-third-year-player Michael Carter II, and free-agent acquisition D.J. Reed in 2022. But New York has been exploring adding veteran talent, including Tyreek Hill and apparently A.J. Brown last offseason. If Robert Saleh believes it’s a fit to mix and match the defensive backs and play Reed or Ramsey some at safety, the Jets might be interested in adding a talent like Ramsey to the roster while figuring out how to employ their defensive weapons later.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have more of a need at cornerback, and some see them as the most obvious fit for Ramsey from that perspective. They also have plenty of cap space to make a deal after parting ways with Derek Carr, and Vegas has become a place players want to be (like Davante Adams last year). Whether head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler believe Ramsey is a fit for the direction they are headed is a mystery at this stage in the offseason, but acquiring a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Jimmy Garoppolo might mean it’s more likely they are aggressive for someone like Ramsey.
Detroit Lions
Finally, the Lions are a clear team on the rise under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager (and former Rams executive) Brad Holmes. Detroit and Los Angeles completed the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade a couple of years ago, and the two sides might make a deal again for Ramsey if the Lions want him and are willing to outbid other teams. Lions players certainly sound like they want Ramsey, and Ramsey himself seems open to the idea of going to Detroit.
Amon-Ra St.Brown doing his best to recruit Jalen Ramsey after recent news suggests he's available. 👀 pic.twitter.com/f3HVRMhPkE
— Covers (@Covers) February 21, 2023
🤷🏾♂️What we waiting on ……. @jalenramsey we can do some great things in the D, my guy trust and believe that!!!!💺🚫
— Jerry Jacobs (@_luhjerry) February 26, 2023
Although Micah Parsons isn’t buying it:
I’m sorry no one going from la to Detroit 😂😂😂 https://t.co/j9ejL3rvu8
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) February 21, 2023