Vikings Whispered as Trade Partner for Superstar Defender
That didn’t take long at all.
Vikings Whispered as Trade Partner for Superstar Defender
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier confirmed Tuesday that seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey would likely be traded this offseason — perhaps during the draft in eight days — and the Minnesota Vikings became lassoed in the Ramsey rumor mill.
And while a Ramsey trade to Minnesota is probably a longshot, it’s not the worst idea in the world.
Jalen Ramsey Will Be Traded
Ramsey is 30, still playing at a Top 10 cornerback level, and can now be obtained from the Dolphins. Grier said Tuesday while speaking with reporters: “After a couple weeks of discussions between ourselves internally and Jalen and his representation, we decided that it was probably in the best interests for all parties to move forward.”
“I will say these decisions aren’t done quickly and they’re not taken lightly because we spent a lot of time this offseason working through this, talking through things.”
Grier did little to clear up the reasoning for the split.
“At the end of the day, Jalen did not ask for a trade. So we went through the process and just felt that after numerous conversations and then talking last week with Jalen and his agent, that it was best to move forward and it was in the best interests of the Miami Dolphins and for Jalen Ramsey,” Grier added.
That’s general manager-speak for “come and get him.”
Vikings Named a Landing Spot for Ramsey
Soon after the Ramsey bombshell, Bleacher Report published a list of landing spots, and Minnesota made the cut.
BR’s Moe Moton wrote, “Like the Los Angeles Rams, the Minnesota Vikings would have to restructure contracts to make room for Jalen Ramsey, but that’s a minor inconvenience in an attempt to patch up their defense.”
“Minnesota re-signed Byron Murphy Jr., a versatile cornerback capable of lining up on the boundary and in the slot. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores can mix and match him with Ramsey while the team figures out who can fill in the gaps alongside them.”
Moton also named the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Ramsey destinations.
“The Vikings haven’t re-signed Stephon Gilmore, leaving a glaring need in the secondary. They signed a couple of placeholder veterans, Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, to fill the void ahead of the draft. Last July, Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL, and he only started in three games during his rookie campaign,” Moton added.
“Minnesota can target a cornerback early in the draft, though in a win-now mode, Ramsey makes sense as a quick-fix option to help a pass defense that finished 28th in total yards last season.”
The Trade Price Tag
Moton claimed that Ramsey could cost the Vikings their 3rd-Round pick next week, the 97th overall selection in the draft. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah received the pick via the NFL’s compensatory process, awarded a 3rd-Rounder for Kirk Cousins‘ free-agent departure one year ago.
So, in BR’s estimation, the Vikings would basically get Ramsey for a few years because Cousins chose the Atlanta Falcons in 2024. That’s a pretty sweet arrangement.
Otherwise, a more spicy trade could resemble this:
Vikings Get:
Jalen Ramsey
Pick No. 48
Pick No. 116
Dolphins Get:
Pick No. 24
Going All In
Before the 2025 offseason, onlookers to a possible Ramsey-to-Vikings deal might’ve questioned the legitimacy because Ramsey is old in NFL terms. However, Adofo-Mensah has shown no hesitation in the last six weeks to add age-30+ veterans like Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Allen, and Javon Hargrave.
If Adofo-Mensah views his Super Bowl window as now — he likely subscribes to this theory — a Ramsey transaction doesn’t feel too mind-boggling.
Kyle Joudry of PurplePTSD.com, a partner site to VikingsTerritory, wrote Tuesday, “Worth considering, perhaps, that the Vikings haven’t been shy about adding older talent. Last offseason, elderly corners (in NFL terms, at least) were signed: Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau.”
“More recently, Minnesota agreed to deals with free agent veterans at other positions such as Ryan Kelly, Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen, and Eric Wilson, all of whom are roughly within the same age-range as Ramsey. So, Ramsey being 31 in October shouldn’t be looked at as a deal breaker.”
Ramsey and Byron Murphy Jr. would headline Minnesota’s 2025 cornerback room, which is rather tempting to the naked eye.
Joudry added, “At present, the Vikings are fully leaning into the reality of having a promising passer operating on a rookie contract. Consider, as well, that the GM has a proclivity for trading and isn’t afraid to add older talent. There’s a connection to the team’s top coach and corner is arguably Minnesota’s top roster need. Keep an eye on where this goes. Bringing Jalen Ramsey to Minnesota may not be that far fetched.”
The Kevin O’Connell Link
Finally, Minnesota employs a head coach who worked with Ramsey in Los Angeles.
Kevin O’Connell offensively coordinated the Rams for two seasons, and Ramsey worked on the other side of the ball. The pair won a Super Bowl in 2021, the springboard event that prompted O’Connell’s head coach promotion in Minnesota.
O’Connell will absolutely have a relationship with Ramsey if Adofo-Mensah tells him to pick up the phone.
Giants Cut Former Vikings Defender
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