It was just this past weekend that All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey was the featured part of a blockbuster NFL trade, heading from the Los Angeles Rams to the Miami Dolphins.
Los Angeles’ decision to trade one of the game’s best cornerbacks was purely financial. Ramsey is still playing at a high clip and has a whole heck of a lot to offer.
One day after this blockbuster was made official, Ramsey took questions from the media in South Beach. In his typically sassy way, the six-time Pro Bowler provided us with a hot take.
“I believe so. That’s just the type of energy I bring, the type of confidence I always have. On paper, this is the best group that I’ve been a part of, and I feel like I’ve been a part of some good groups in Jacksonville and also L.A. But on paper, I feel like this is the best one.”
Jalen Ramsey on whether the Miami Dolphins boast the NFL’s best secondary
This is bold in that Ramsey has yet to suit up for the Dolphins. Other teams might also take exception to this. After retaining both Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles might want a word with Ramsey. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers boasted the best defense in the NFL last season. But is Ramsey wrong?
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Jalen Ramsey adds another element to the Miami Dolphins defense
Ramsey isn’t necessarily talking out of his back end here. However, there’s still a lot of work to do in Miami. Its defense yielded 27 passing touchdowns against eight interceptions for a 95.3 QB rating a season ago.
Ramsey will team up with four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard at cornerback. In a vacuum, the two have regressed some recently.
- Jalen Ramsey stats (2022): 68 tackles, 18 passes defended, 4 INT, 62.6% completion, 84.5 QB rating
- Xavien Howard stats (2022): 45 tackles, 12 passes defended, 1 INT, 59.5% completion, 101.2 QB rating
Ramsey, 28, yielded his highest completion percentage and QB rating since back in 2019. As for Howard, the 101.2 passer rating he gave up was a major regression from 2020 (48.3) and 2021 (72.6).
Even then, there’s a ton of talent in Miami’s secondary. Young safety Javon Holland looks to be every bit the part of a Swiss Army Knife in his role. He’s registered four interceptions in two seasons and put up a career-high 96 tackles in 2022.
If this all comes together, Ramsey’s prediction might not look too bold. But for now, it’s just not a reasonable stance.