Rams pursuing Jalen Ramsey, if available, not so crazy...

Rams pursuing Jalen Ramsey if Jaguars shop him isn't as crazy as it sounds

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

As Bob Dylan so eloquently wrote: “The times they are a-changin’” … in the NFL.

In the past year, we’ve seen big-name players like Khalil Mack, Marcus Peters, Brandin Cooks, Eli Apple and Golden Tate all traded for draft picks. Teams are getting more aggressive when it comes to making deals, even for players on rookie contracts. Just this offseason, the Giants reportedly talked about trading Odell Beckham Jr. before giving him a huge contract.

Jalen Ramsey, as crazy as it may sound, could be the next star to be traded.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Sunday morning that executives around the league believe the Jaguars could be open to dealing Ramsey in the upcoming offseason. Jacksonville issued a statement denying the report and this could all just be a wakeup call for Ramsey, but crazier things have happened.

If the Jaguars do shop the All-Pro corner this offseason, Les Snead should make a call to Dave Caldwell about acquiring another one of his players. After all, he hasn’t been shy about making blockbuster trades. Just look at the deals for Sammy Watkins, Cooks, Peters and Dante Fowler Jr.

Ramsey is still on his rookie contract and is signed through 2019 with a fifth-year option coming in 2020. His cap hit next year is $7.4 million, which is an absolute bargain for arguably the best young cornerback in the game. That number would nearly double in 2020 on the fifth-year option, but even $13 million is cheap for a player of his caliber.

The Rams are in good shape cap-wise moving forward, too. Even after extending Aaron Donald, Cooks and Todd Gurley this offseason, they’re projected to have $36.7 million in cap space next year, which is 17th in the league. In 2020, Spotrac’s projection puts the Rams at $80.2 million, 15th in the NFL.


Do you really think the Rams couldn’t find a way to fit him under the salary cap? This is a team that tried to trade for Mack before he was dealt to Chicago. Acquiring Ramsey may wind up being a two-year rental before his deal ends and he signs a historic contract, one the Rams could have trouble affording with Jared Goff’s payday coming next.

But what about Peters and Aqib Talib, you ask? Both are under contract through next season for $9.1 million and $8 million, respectively. The Rams could move on from either one without a penny of dead money going on the cap – zero penalty whatsoever.

With the way Peters has played, there’s no guarantee the Rams will sign him to a long-term deal, which sounds crazy after the trade initially happened. And Talib, as talented as he is, will be 33 years old next year. You’re telling me you wouldn’t shed yourself of his $8 million cap hit and plug in Ramsey with his $7.4 million? The Rams would in a heartbeat.

The biggest hurdle in this entire conversation is what the Rams would have to give up to land Ramsey. Peters was in a similar situation this past offseason and netted the Chiefs just a fourth- and second-round pick. He had two years left on his contract and his relationship with the coaches and organization seemed to go sour. Still believed to be a top cornerback, Kansas City dealt him.

Ramsey is more consistent and is viewed as a true shutdown cover man, so he’d fetch more than a second- and fourth-rounder. In all likelihood, Ramsey’s return would be much closer to what the Bears gave up for Mack: two first-rounders, a third and a sixth in exchange for Mack and additional second- and fifth-round picks.

The Rams have their first-round selections in 2019 and 2020, but they are without their second-rounder and original third next year; they should get two third-round compensatory picks in 2019. That being said, they might be able to get a deal done for their next two first-rounders as well as a second in 2020, but that’s just speculation. Given his talent and contract situation, it might take more.

Regardless, the Rams would be foolish not to explore this opportunity. Talib is an aging veteran, Peters has struggled mightily in L.A. and Troy Hill doesn’t look like a starting-caliber player in the secondary. Ramsey would cost a boatload of draft capital, but it would solve the Rams’ biggest issue right now.

After all, you can’t spell “Ramsey” without “Rams.”