For now, Jalen Ramsey remains a member of the Miami Dolphins, but how much longer that lasts remains to be seen.
Now that it’s after June 1, the Dolphins are in a far better position to trade Ramsey. A pre-June 1 trade would have cost the team $8.5 million, but as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports, they can now save $10 million by moving him.
One factor that could determine whether a trade materializes is how Ramsey is currently being viewed around the league.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Ramsey may no longer be seen strictly as a cornerback.
“The more people I talk to, the more I think Jalen Ramsey’s value now really is as a safety ,” Breer wrote. “That, by the way, doesn’t mean he can’t play corner anymore. He can. It’s just that, at this point, if you’re bringing him in, leaning into what he still does well and planning on having him as more than a stopgap rental, then safety is likely where his future lies .”
Breer compared Ramsey’s situation to Hall of Famers Charles Woodson and Rod Woodson, both of whom transitioned from cornerback to safety later in their careers.
A New Role, A New Perception
This shift could impact Ramsey’s market value. An NFL executive told Breer that the veteran defender is now seen as “like a $10 million to $12 million player.”
That’s about half of the $21.1 million Ramsey has left on his deal for this year, and sets a decent range for what the Miami Dolphins might have to do, as far as eating money goes, to get a decent return for the former All-Pro.
Ramsey’s number is $21 million for next year, so if another team gets him for this year at $10 million, you could reason that he’s a $15 million per year guy for that team for the next two years.
The Dolphins’ Trade Plans
The Dolphins have been one of the most rumored teams this offseason when it comes to trading high-profile players. Ramsey, however, sits at the top of that list, with both the team and Ramsey making it known that an eventual separation is likely.
Now that Miami can save money, the timing for a potential Ramsey trade could be imminent.
Fans are already speculating about where Ramsey might land , and many are drawing comparisons to aging NFL stars who had similar transitions.
A Growing Concern for the Dolphins
While Ramsey was once considered one of the best corners in the league, his value has dipped. This has led to concerns about his long-term role and whether he’s still a fit for the Dolphins’ current system.
With a new defensive coordinator in place and a need for younger, faster talent, the Dolphins are under pressure to make a move, especially with Ramsey’s age and contract becoming more of a burden.
Some say he’s starting to look like a relic of a bygone era, and while he still has the skills to play at a high level, the question remains: is he worth the investment?
What’s Next for Ramsey?
As the Dolphins weigh their options, fans are wondering what’s next for Ramsey.
He’s still a valuable player, but with his age and salary, he’s no longer the same force he once was.
Whether he ends up in a different role or finally finds a new home remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear — he’s not the same player he used to be, and that’s raising red flags across the league.
