Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey might be on the way to his third NFL team sooner than later.
A report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero suggests that it’s “very likely” that the Rams will move Ramsey as the league year gets started in March.
It’d be the second time that Ramsey has been traded in his career. The Jacksonville Jaguars sent the All-Pro cornerback to Los Angeles in 2019, and Ramsey helped the Rams win a Super Bowl in February 2022.
With Los Angeles destined for a sizeable retooling, Ramsey looks like he’ll be playing for a new franchise come fall.
Let’s take a look at some possible suitors.
The #Rams have had trade talks about six-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey and league sources now believe it’s very likely Ramsey is dealt in coming weeks.
Ramsey, 28, is due $17 million in 2023 on a front-loaded deal that averages $20M and L.A. is clearing cap space. pic.twitter.com/vTYlX7nn5B
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 25, 2023
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans should always be looked as a possible contender when Ramsey is looking for a new home.
The cornerback grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee, and graduated from Brentwood Academy. He grew up a Titans fan and said that Tennessee would be one of his preferred trade destinations if he were available.
The Titans might not have the most cap space, but pairing Ramsey with cornerback Kristian Fulton could give Tennessee the best corner tandem in the AFC South. The Titans could send 2021 first-round corner Caleb Farley to L.A., where he could contend for a starting job.
POSSIBLE TRADE OFFER: L.A. sends Ramsey and a 2023 sixth-round draft pick in exchange for Farley and Tennessee’s 2023 second-round pick.
Las Vegas Raiders
When talking about his preferred destinations, Ramsey also listed the Las Vegas Raiders as a team he’d be interested in joining.
Las Vegas has plenty of cap space to facilitate such a move, and the team really could use a top corner to help revamp its defense.
The Rams would probably like to send Ramsey to an AFC destination if possible, so let’s say the cornerback’s previously stated interest in the Raiders make them a very possible spot.
POSSIBLE TRADE OFFER: The Rams send Ramsey in exchange for Las Vegas’ 2023 second-round pick and 2024 third-round pick.
Detroit Lions
Former Los Angeles Rams front office executive Brad Holmes is now the general manager for the Lions, and he’s maintained a very positive relationship with his old team.
The team pulled off the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff swap in winter 2021, and the Rams sent Michael Brockers to the Lions in the same offseason.
Would the Rams send an upstart Detroit team Ramsey to help its secondary?
Pairing Ramsey with Detroit’s 2020 first-round corner Jeff Okudah would be just what the doctor ordered for the Lions to really position themselves as 2023 playoff contenders. Detroit has the cap space for Ramsey’s salary, too.
POSSIBLE TRADE OFFER: L.A. sends Ramsey in exchange for Detroit’s original 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.
Chicago Bears
While the Bears technically have three starting cornerbacks on the roster, players like Ramsey don’t come available often and neither does Chicago’s staggering amount of cap space.
If the Bears are sold on going all-in on quarterback Justin Field (and his rookie contract), making a splash move for Ramsey could be a big boost to the team’s defensive overhaul.
Chicago could send 2020 second-round pick Jaylon Johnson to Los Angeles as part of the deal. Johnson could get an audition for a new team in a contract year, and Ramsey could go to one of the most storied franchises in the NFL with an electric young quarterback leading the way.
Plus, if Detroit is interested, it helps keeping a talent like Ramsey away from a rival. The Bears can part ways with a second with plenty of draft capital likely coming with trading down from the 2023 NFL draft’s top spot.
POSSIBLE TRADE OFFER: L.A. sends Ramsey and a 2024 fourth-round pick in exchange for Johnson and Chicago’s 2023 second-round pick.
Cincinnati Bengals
While Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will be in line for a new deal very soon, perhaps Cincinnati would make a big trade like this to capitalize on the waning days of Burrow’s rookie deal.
Adding Ramsey to Cincinnati’s already formidable defense would be a huge boost in the AFC arms race and could position Cincinnati as a title favorite for 2023.
If L.A. still wants to seriously factor into the NFC West this fall, they could acquire cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who is on an expiring deal and could start for the Rams this fall before hitting free agency in 2024.
They’d just take a little less draft return for Ramsey in this trade.
POSSIBLE TRADE OFFER: L.A. sends Ramsey and a 2023 sixth-round pick to Cincinnati for Awuzie, a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
