5 days Ago By Chris Perkins
The Dolphins and seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey are mutually exploring trade options, according to a NFL.com report . Ramsey, 30, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams before the 2023 season, is due to earn $25.
1 million in 2025. Ramsey, a possible Hall of Fame player, is also regarded as the second-best player on the Dolphins roster after All Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Ramsey made the Pro Bowl after the 2023 season, during which he missed the first seven games after sustaining a knee injury in training camp.
His rehabilitation efforts became legendary as he lived in the weight room and rehab facility and came back sooner than expected. He electrified the team with an interception against New England, his first game back, and did it again with a two-interception game against Las Vegas two weeks later, including the game-clincher in the end zone with 22 seconds left. Ramsey’s departure would be a huge loss for a Dolphins defense that finished No.
4 in the league last season, including No. 9 against the pass. Ramsey and slot/nickel cornerback Kader Kohou are the only two returning starters in the secondary.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller departed in free agency as did safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer. Primary reserve boundary cornerbacks behind Ramsey include Cam Smith, the 2023 second-round pick, and Storm Duck, the 2024 undrafted rookie from Louisville. Last season Ramsey finished with 60 tackles and two interceptions.
His play in 2024 expanded to moving around to different spots on the field whether he was shadowing a wide receiver, lining up in the slot or remaining at his customary boundary cornerback spot. He inspired teammates in training camp by giving a speech about how the Dolphins, regarded as a finesse team, would be bullies in the 2024 season. Ramsey was also a beast during early training camp practices, making aggressive tackles (when they were tackling to the ground) and causing disruptions near the ball such as fumbles or passes broken up.
Ramsey’s unhappiness comes as a bit of a surprise. He was known to be unhappy under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio largely due to Fangio not moving Ramsey around in the defense (Fangio often claimed the cornerback on the other side, often Xavien Howard, had to also be comfortable moving around) and due to Fangio not accepting much input from players. It’s not known whether Ramsey has an issue with defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, coach Mike McDaniel, the organization as a whole or if there are other reasons he’s mutually agreed to pursue a trade.
The trading of Ramsey comes at an interesting time for the Dolphins. It appears general manager Chris Grier and McDaniel are in a tenuous situation. McDaniel has a 28-25 (.
528) career record, including 4-16 (.200) against playoff teams and missed the playoff last year for the first time in three seasons after posting an 8-9 record. The three-day draft begins April 24.
It’s unclear whether the Dolphins would complete the trade by then in an effort to use draft picks they get for Ramsey to rebuild the defense..
