Cornerback Jalen Ramsey has requested a trade out of Jacksonville. Apparently unhappy with the coaching, the defensive schemes and the front office, he is seeking a change.
The saga started in earnest during Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, as Ramsey and coach Doug Marrone got into a heated exchange on the sideline. Reports surfaced soon after the game that the two-time Pro Bowl defensive back wanted out.
In his third year, Ramsey has collected nine interceptions, 202 tackles (178 solo) and one forced fumble. He has also played in all 50 games since the start of the 2017 season.
Many teams are in need of a durable, talented corner. The Jaguars are requesting a first-round pick and more to lose their star defensive player. So here is a look at the teams who are prepared to trade the assets and take the cap hit.
The Chiefs have Super Bowl aspirations in 2019. Their electric offense seems more than primed to take them where they want to go. The defense, however, leaves some things to be desired.
According to Pro Football Reference, Kansas City had the 24th ranked defense in 2018. To shore it up, they signed Tyrian Mathieu in the offseason and traded for Seattle’s Frank Clark. They also signed former Dallas corner Morris Claiborne, who is serving a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance policy.
Being that the Chiefs have one of the league’s best quarterbacks on his rookie deal, they could take advantage and suffer the cap hit trading for Ramsey would bring. Patrick Mahomes’ rookie deal is the key here. Kansas City is in a position to overpay for the chance at a Super Bowl.
If they acquire Ramsey, Mo Claiborne comes back to play at a high level and the Frank Clark-led front seven delivers, the Chiefs are in a position to have a good, if not excellent, defense. The offense under Andy Reid will be fine no matter what, barring an injury to Mahomes. But if they can pair that high-flying style with turnovers and hard hits on the other side, then New England has some serious competition.
A big potential roadblock is the fact that a Kansas City’s first round pick in 2020 will likely be very low. They will have to sweeten the pot with more picks or a young player.
Ronald Darby, the Eagles supposed number one cornerback, was embarrassed in Week 2 against the Falcons.
Doing his best to cover Julio Jones, Darby was burned for 106 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. Darby did have an interception in the game, but the bad heavily outweighed the good.
Julio Jones burned Ronald Darby during their Week 2 matchup. (Photo by Yong Kim/The Philadelphia Inquirer)
In the past two seasons, the Eagles have become what the Packers have been in previous years. A team that should be Super Bowl bound every year, but so severely stricken by the injury bug that it is hard to overcome. This year, the injuries are mostly to receivers. But Eagles fans are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
They already need to get better at corner, and if one of their mediocre defensive backs go down, then there is not much in the way of teams throwing all over them. This is where Ramsey can step in.
As mentioned previously, not only is he a Pro Bowl cornerback, but he is also durable and injury-free. An asset like that on a Philadelphia team that cannot stay healthy could be a massive help. Of course, anything can happen on the field, but he has no nagging injuries that might flare up to keep him from playing.
The Eagles have over $23 million in cap space, and can easily take the hit. But, again, they may have a low draft pick. The Jaguars will need more than that first-rounder, possibly even a veteran player with which Philly may not want to part.
The Raiders are, perhaps, the most interesting team to discuss in these trade talks.
Jalen Ramsey is outspoken, loud, confident and most importantly great at his job. Any other former Raiders come to mind given that description?
Yes, the Raiders lost Antonio Brown to some bizarre circumstances. But they are not dead in the water. Currently sitting at 1-1 on the year (and 1-1 in the division), Oakland has sort of surpassed expectations after losing Brown.
They feature a great head coach, who is nothing if not a players’ advocate, and an offense that shows potential. Ramsey could be an incredible addition to shore up the defensive side of the ball.
Would it be enough to sneak into the playoffs in a very tough AFC West? Inconclusive. More play needs to be seen out of them and the Los Angeles Chargers, but stranger things have happened in the NFL.
The most important part of the potential trade talks are the Raiders’ two first round picks in 2020. It is highly doubtful that Oakland would give up both for Ramsey, just to gamble on whether or not he would sign a contract extension with them. They do have the cap space to make it happen after losing next to nothing when Antonio Brown left town.
Ramsey almost certainly wants to play for a winner. It is very unclear what the Raiders will look like in the coming years, but being in the same division as Patrick Mahomes does not help. But, requesting a trade means Ramsey will go where the Jaguars send him, And any good will that the Jaguars could extend in the way of asking him who he would like to play for more has been pretty much burned away after his clear feud with Tom Coughlin and the front office.
The Raiders have picks and players a-plenty, so Ramsey in the silver and black seems like a good possibility.
Featured Image courtesy of Eric Christian Smith/AP
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