The Dolphins and Jalen Ramsey ‘Mutually Agree’ To Explore Trade Options

It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the blockbuster trade that shipped All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams to the Miami Dolphins. It was supposed to help Miami reach the promised land, or at least a playoff victory, and yet here we are. The team still hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000, and now, according to a report from the tag-team champions of NFL insiders, the team may soon be without cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins and Miami’s CB1 have “mutually agreed to explore trade options,” leaving head coach Mike McDaniel and General Manager Chris Grier in a bit of a pickle, nine days before the 2025 NFL draft. (Note: I’m sure this was being discussed for months behind the scenes, but it’s still not ideal with so many pressing needs already on the roster.)

Ramsey, now 30, was traded to Miami in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. In his first training camp with Miami, Ramsey suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss the first half of the 2023 season, but he would later return to start ten games for the Dolphins. He finished the year with three interceptions and five pass breakups, and according to PFF, he allowed 23 receptions on 42 targets for 272 yards and a touchdown.

Before the start of the 2024 season, Ramsey would sign a three-year extension with the Dolphins worth $72.3 million to make him the highest-paid cornerback in football at the time. Unfortunately, he never proved to be worth that type of contract, having what many would consider a down year in his first full year with the Dolphins.

Ramsey finished with 60 total tackles, two interceptions, a sack, and 11 pass breakups. He was 10th among all active cornerbacks according to Pro Football Focus, finishing with a 76.9 defensive grade, a 71.9 coverage grade (24/116 CBs), and 85.7 (8/105 CBs). He was targeted 65 times, allowing 48 receptions for 556 yards and two touchdowns.

Now that he’s likely gone, I have no problem saying it: Jalen Ramsey did not live up to the contract he signed with Miami. Period. He’s closer to #washed than he will ever be that #elite, shutdown player he once was. Perhaps we should’ve known that when all it took was Hunter Long and a third-round pick to pry him away from Los Angeles, but whatever the case, it’s time to move on. (Note: I do realize this will likely come back to haunt me. He will likely be the NFL’s top-rated cornerback next year and Super Bowl MVP.)

Unfortunately for Miami, any trade involving Ramsey will likely cost the Dolphins, as he’s set to make $25 million this upcoming season (The Dolphins have already paid $4 million of that per Rapoport). Would a contender be willing to give up a third-round pick + pay $21 million for a player who will be 31 when the 2025 NFL season kicks off? I don’t see it, which means Miami will almost have to get anything they can for Ramsey, once again making this trade a complete failure for Miami.

As of today, assuming Ramsey is granted his wish and traded elsewhere, Miami’s cornerback room consists of Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, Artie Burns, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, Ryan Cooper, and Isaiah Johnson. That’s a whole lot of uncertainty and a huge gamble for a regime headed into a make-or-break season.

The good news in all of this, I guess, is that the 2025 NFL draft is on the horizon. The team has several routes they can take in the first round. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is a player I’d run to the podium for, but Texas’ DB Jahdee Barron and East Carolina’s Shavon Revel are some names to keep an eye on as well.

What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins and cornerback Jalen Ramsey agreeing to seek a trade partner? What type of draft capital do you think the Dolphins could fetch in return? Does this change how you approach next week’s NFL Draft? Let us know in the comments section below!