The Los Angeles Rams are “very likely” to trade All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
So says Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network. The report came after much speculation that the Rams would consider moving on from the 28-year-old cornerback as a salary cap saving move.
Ramsey is coming off one of his worse campaigns as a NFL corner and was not named to the 2022 All-Pro team after appearnces in both 2020 and 2021. However, he still played in all 17 games this past season and accumulated career-highs with 18 passes defended, four interceptions, and 88 tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Ramsey was the NFL’s best run-supporting corner.
His availability raises an interesting question: Should Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans be interested in Ramsey’s service for the Houston Texans?
Ramsey would immediately serve as the best cornerback and best overall player on Houston’s roster. At 28 years-old he’s a player who is firmly in their prime and would be a tone setter for Houston’s defense. Ramsey would be responsible for locking down opposing team’s No. 1 receiver and also helping to bolster what was one of the NFL’s worst run defenses in 2022.
There’s pressure for Ryans to fix the Texans woeful linebacker play and defensive interior that led to the team’s woeful rushing defense. Ramsey’s presence would aid that development curve and help to relieve the pressure safeties Jalen Pitre and Jonathan Owens faced last year while leading all defensive backs in tackles.
On paper, it sounds like an ideal player for Ryans new defensive scheme and the type of winning culture he’s trying to set in the locker room.
Trading for Jalen Ramsey might mean more than creating an elite duo at cornerback and providing some real mentorship for Stingley and that whole defense.
He’d practically serve as another linebacker on the field for DeMeco Ryans and the atrocious run defense from last season. pic.twitter.com/W6N2AAXit2
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) February 22, 2023
Acquiring Ramsey would likely take a package of Day 2 picks which could feel like an expensive investment after the team spent the No. 3 overall pick just last year on LSU cornerback Derek Stingley. Would the additional investment be worth it?
Houston history says yes.
In 2010, the Texans spent their first-round pick on Alabama cornerback Kareem Jackson. Jackson struggled mightily in his first season and, despite the team having made a huge commitment at the position just a year prior, Houston’s front office opted to sign free agent Johnathan Joseph to a $49 million contract.
Joseph is now celebrated as one of the best acquisitions in Houston franchise history. He played a big role in Jackson becoming a steady contributor to the mid-2010’s Texans that frequented the AFC playoff picture.
What’s stopping Houston from allowing Ramsey to play that same role for Stingley?
Jalen Ramsey on Derek Stingley Jr:
“Cant wait to see Sting lock up this league”
Future Teammates?
pic.twitter.com/nYVGcJ6UrF
— 𝑅𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃
(@htx_Roman10) February 25, 2023
Stingley would get to better adjust to the NFL game with more snaps against No. 2 wideouts and his superior talent in those matchups could allow to employ one of the most dominating cornerback duos in the league. Off the field, Stingley would learn firsthand from one of the NFL’s best corners in the last decade about what goes into playing the position at an elite level.
For an NFL that is so laser-focused on the passing game and an in AFC South that now requires beating Trevor Lawrence, asset accumulation at the cornerback position wouldn’t be the worst investment for Caserio. Ryans certainly has the coaching talent to find creative ways to take advantage of what the duo could bring the team.
The Texans are in a rare position where most of their roster is a blank slate for the future. Bringing in a player of Ramsey’s talent and accomplishments could be an early signal for what the new coaching staff expects and hopes to accomplish during their tenure in the Battle Red.