The Miami Dolphins‘ secondary is about to get an entire lot higher. The Dolphins are buying and selling for six-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, giving new coordinator Vic Fangio a real working mate to Xavien Howard.
Let’s grade the commerce, which supplies the Rams wanted cap aid and provides the Dolphins a more-than-suitable alternative for Byron Jones, who might be reduce subsequent week.
Grading the Jalen Ramsey Commerce
The Ramsey-to-Miami deal can not turn into official till the league 12 months begins Wednesday, but when it falls aside, Ramsey will apparently be heartbroken. He despatched out a collection of tweets Sunday expressing his approval, together with the next:
“God is SO AMAZING! OHMYGOD!”
“Can’t ever inform me prayer don’t work! 🙏🏾
Y’all have a blessed & joyful Sunday! Ikno I’m!”
“I prayed for this particularly for a few month & now it’s occurring! 🙏🏾 @MiamiDolphins LETSGO! 🧡
And …
“Thanks 🐐 @DavidMulugheta🙏🏾… not the primary time you’ve helped my dream come true!”
Miami Dolphins Get a Ferrari within the Secondary
The phrases of the deal have been extremely favorable to a Dolphins crew that spent the previous week creating cap house to soak up such a contract. NFL Media experiences that the Dolphins get Ramsey on an adjusted contract for a package deal of tight finish Hunter Lengthy and a third-round decide (77th general).
The phrases? Two fully-guaranteed years with an AAV of $20 million. As a part of the crew, Ramsey shaved a 12 months off his contract however received an extra $25 million in ensures over his earlier contract, per NFL Media.
That’s a steep value, significantly for the reason that Dolphins solely had roughly $30 million in projected cap house this free company. However by shedding Lengthy and the draft decide, it does release practically $2 million of different 2023 obligations.
MORE: Who Are the Highest-Paid Cornerbacks within the NFL in 2023?
This transfer alerts the Dolphins — who ranked twenty seventh in move protection (234.8 yards per recreation) and thirtieth in interception fee (1.3%) final 12 months — are all-in in 2023.
Ramsey, who allowed 62.6% of passes thrown in his completion space final 12 months with 4 interceptions recorded and 5 touchdowns surrendered, arguably turns into the most effective participant on a protection loaded with stars. A secondary that features Ramsey, Howard, and Jevon Holland is as proficient as any (assuming Howard bounces again after a 2022 season that was under his requirements).
The one motive this deal isn’t an A? It leaves Miami with restricted cap house to enhance an offensive line that additionally wants assist.
Grade: A-
Did Los Angeles Rams Wave White Flag on 2023?
The Rams hinted final week that they have been open for enterprise, however buying and selling Ramsey within the prime of his profession for spare elements means that the teardown/rebuild is likely to be a painful transition.
Ramsey’s departure leaves Los Angeles with simply three cornerbacks below contract in 2023: Robert Rochell, Decobie Durant, and Derion Kendrick.
MORE: Are the Rams Admitting to a Rebuild After Jalen Ramsey Commerce?
It additionally received Ramsey’s contract off their books going ahead. Whereas the cap hit the Rams took within the deal is unclear primarily based on his redone contract, it does take his $17 million base wage off their books.
The Rams — who’re cap-strapped — now have 4 Day 2 picks to start rebuilding a once-formidable protection. It would most likely take greater than that, although. LA’s protection in 2023 seems to be prefer it’s going to be Aaron Donald and a bunch of obscure names on a roster. Good luck, Raheem Morris.
Grade: C
Jalen Ramsey Will get What He Desires
We’ll be taught within the coming days why Ramsey was so decided to get to Miami. But it surely was clearly his most popular vacation spot. Whereas he, like Howard, wasn’t at his finest in 2022, Ramsey was nonetheless darn good — and has put collectively a persistently glorious profession.
MORE: Greatest NFL Cornerbacks in 2023
Since Professional Soccer Reference started reporting superior stats in 2018, Ramsey has not allowed 10 yards per goal or a passer ranking of 90 or larger in any season. Pairing him with Howard and Fangio on a protection that additionally options Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Christian Wilkins might flip again the clock.
Grade: A
