The Pros & Cons of the Jalen Ramsey Trade

Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) reacts as he takes the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.

No team has acquired Jalen Ramsey via trade as of early June, but according to Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, Ramsey’s employer, a deal will likely come together in the next couple of months.

These are the perks and burdens of a would-be Jalen Ramsey trade to the Minnesota Vikings.

For some reason, Ramsey is certifiably on the trade block. And because Ramsey won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles four years ago, the Minnesota Vikings as a landing spot for the seven-time Pro Bowler isn’t that outlandish.

These are the pros and cons of a would-be Vikings trade for Ramsey.

Pro: Ramsey Is Not a “Let’s See if This Guy Is Still Any Good” Situation

General managers should usually shy away from trading for a cornerback aged 30 or older. They probably won’t improve. Such players are typically past their primes.

But Ramsey isn’t like that. Not one bit.

Sep 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) holds one of his daughters after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Rams win 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

He registered a 76.9 Pro Football Focus grade in 2024, and while it might be tempting to scan his biography on ESPN or Wikipedia and say, “Oh, that guy’s old; no thanks,” Ramsey doesn’t fit that category.

The eventual Hall of Famer is still an outstanding cornerback, and for Ramsey, “age ain’t nothing but a number” applies. Don’t lump Ramsey in that territory with older over-the-hill corners. That isn’t him. He logged a 51.1 passer rating against two seasons ago, for God’s sake.

Pro: Total CB Supremacy for Minnesota’s Roster

Most Vikings fans are semi-content with the current cornerback room, but not opposed to an upgrade. Next to Byron Murphy Jr. and without Ramsey, one of the following four players will be nominated for starting duty on the outside of Brian Flores’ defense: Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, or Dwight McGlothern.

Sep 19, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) celebrates his interception with Rams defensive back Darious Williams (11) in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ramsey would make that competition moot or unsuspensful. He would headline the Vikings’ CB room, with Murphy Jr. as his copilot, leaving Rodgers, Blackmon, Okudah, and McGlothern left to fight for a lesser role.

Trading for Ramsey would push Minnesota’s CB unit in an interstellar sphere of Super Bowl contention if quarterback J.J. McCarthy doesn’t play buffoonishly this season.

Pro: Playoff, Super Bowl Experience

Ramsey has been there.

He’s the subject of Vikings articles like this and trade theories, in general, because he won a championship with O’Connell in 2021.

Sep 19, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback J. Ramsey (20) walks off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Because they’re “the Vikings,” the roster doesn’t have too many players with Super Bowl experience. If the team fulfills its NFC destiny, having Ramsey on the squad in February would be quite fantastic.

Pro: Vikings’ Roster Would Have Zero Weak Spots

If you ask a fan to name the weak spot on O’Connell’s roster, she might name cornerback, and then that’d be it.

Because of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s roster construction over the last few offseasons, the depth chart is in sweet shape — only needing one more cornerback to send championship aspirations to the moon.

One can say it with a straight face, pending McCarthy’s development: there are no roster atrocities entering the summer. An extra starting cornerback is the only position that could use a little love.

Pro: Sticking Around for J.J. McCarthy’s Rookie Deal

Ramsey will turn 31 this season, and if one counts up the years left on McCarthy’s rookie contract, well, his hypothetical NFL end date damn near aligns with McCarthy’s large payday in 2029 (if he’s the real deal).

Therefore, even though Ramsey is expensive, his career back nine and accompanying contract directly mesh with the start of McCarthy’s second contract.

Con: The Money

Ramsey brings home an average of $24 million per season. That’s extremely expensive for a Vikings team that is suddenly cash-strapped.

jalen ramsey
Sep 8, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback J. Ramsey (20) runs from the tunnel before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Optimists will maintain that Ramsey’s contract could be adjusted immediately after a Minnesota trade — a fair assumption — but that won’t reduce his average annual value. What would that do? Push money into the future, or bring to life the dreaded financial slogan prevalent on social media: “Kicking the can down the road.”

Indeed, the Vikings can adjust the Ramsey money after a trade, but he won’t play for cheap, and even now, Minnesota is scheduled to start next offseason over $50 million in the hole.

Con: The Age

Ramsey is still an elite corner, yet there’s always a chance he shows up to a regular season and an age-related decline arises. The process will likely be gradual for Ramsey — not unlike Harrison Smith — but he’s over 30 no matter how one dices it.

Ideally, splashy summer trades for elite performers would land men in their 20s. Ramsey is in his 30s

Fans would merely have to hope that his regression didn’t emerge any time soon.