The 2022 season was a rocky one for Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey. That is hard for some to believe because when taking a look at his counting statistics, it was arguably the best one of his career.
Jalen Ramsey had the first two sacks of his career and set career highs with 88 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and 18 passes defended. The four interceptions he recorded were tied for the most in a single season.
Despite that, 2022 was the first time since his rookie season that Jalen Ramsey didn’t earn either a Pro Bowl or All-Pro nomination. Part of that is likely because some of his luster in coverage faded as top-tier opponents were finding success with regularity against him.
Short on assets and up against the salary cap, Jalen Ramsey could be someone the Rams look to trade this offseason while he still has some value. Where could he end up? Here are three teams that should pursue a trade for the standout cornerback.
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t normally in the business of adding high-priced veterans to the roster, but they could consider making an exception for Jalen Ramsey. If the opportunity presents itself to upgrade the secondary at a reasonable price, Pittsburgh needs to explore it.
With Cameron Sutton and James Pierre hitting free agency, this is a group that could be in need of some reinforcements this offseason. The Steelers’ secondary is a solid group overall but they are lacking that true No. 1 to bring it all together.
While Jalen Ramsey’s performance was ridiculed by some, he did still have a solid season and would be an upgrade for Pittsburgh. Playing behind the Steelers’ vaunted pass rush could also help him get back on track as the front seven getting after the quarterback makes life easier for the secondary.
The Philadelphia Eagles could have some major holes to fill in their secondary this off-season. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and James Bradberry have played pivotal roles in their success this season but both are entering free agency.
If they are unable to retain them, especially Bradberry, looking into acquiring someone such as Jalen Ramsey would make a lot of sense. The pressure of being the lockdown No. 1 corner would be alleviated with Darius Slay playing on the opposite side of the field.
With two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, their own and one courtesy of the New Orleans Saints, the Eagles can aggressively pursue upgrades this offseason. If a bidding war ensued for Jalen Ramsey, they could be able to still make a competitive offer.
For the first time in a long time, the Detroit Lions look to be on the right path. General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have done an excellent job of quickly turning things around in the Motor City.
The offense was explosive throughout the 2022 season, but the defense left a lot to be desired. After going 9-8, this is a team on the verge of potentially becoming one to worry about in the NFC. if they can improve defensively to match the offensive production, watch out.
The secondary is currently their biggest weakness. Armed with two first-round picks, the Lions should aggressively pursue an upgrade, making Jalen Ramsey an ideal target. Detroit owns the Rams’ first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft so they could certainly do some haggling to bring in the former All-Pro to upgrade their secondary.
