4 landing spots for superstar NFL defender seeking a new team with trade

The Dolphins’ CB wants out. Here’s where he could go next.

The unraveling of the Miami Dolphins continues.

After the retirement of left tackle Terron Armstead and the ongoing saga around wideout Tyreek Hill, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey added another layer of tumult by reportedly agreeing to work with Miami on a potential trade.

This is a huge blow for the Dolphins. After cutting Kendall Fuller in the offseason, moving Ramsey would make the secondary a land of miscast toys. Safety Jevon Holland is a New York Giant now, and that would leave Storm Duck, Kader Kohou and Ethan Bonner as the first three names up at cornerback. Not exactly a confidence-boosting unit for a franchise that needs to start winning big games. Add on top of that the lack of depth up front on both sides of the ball, a potential Tyreek Hill trade and just general anxiety surrounding the team and ... yeah not a great outlook for 2025 in South Beach.

For Ramsey, I’m curious what his market will be. He’s taken a step back athletically, but he’s still physical enough to come up and tackle and one of the smartest DBs in the game. However, the contract would also be an issue, taking on over $20 million per year for the duration of his contract.

What teams can, and should make a deal for Ramsey at this point?

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have more than enough cap space to facilitate a trade like this, and I think it makes sense for them as well. With Pete Carroll as their head coach, they could be looking to win serious football games sooner rather than later, and I think Ramsey is still a winning football player. The Raiders’ depth chart at corner gets really dire since they released Jack Jones, and Ramsey gives them a quality starter in a lot of areas. The Raiders secondary has some solid names, but most of them are unproven in a division where you have to play Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice a year. A trade for Ramsey feels really likely for Vegas.

San Francisco 49ers

I’m curious on what the Niners do with the 11th pick in the draft, but if they opt to pick a defensive linemen like I think they will, a trade for Ramsey could be intriguing. Adding Ramsey would allow the Niners to get versatile with their other two DBs; Deommodore Lenoir can either play nickel or outside, and Renardo Green could play opposite of Ramsey or Lenoir. Or, if they want to move Ramsey back to safety, I think he could play well next to Malik Mustapha. Either way, I think the Niners could add some more veteran experience to the group as they begin to retool.

Arizona Cardinals

Would this be considered a luxury for the Cardinals? Possibly, but I wouldn’t rule out their possible need for another vet at the position. Max Melton had his moments on the outside, but Sean Murphy-Bunting can be replaced. Ramsey could get his shot with a team that’s on the brink of the playoffs, providing veteran leadership and stability among a young group of corners. The Cardinals have the cap space to facilitate a trade like this, and I think it’s something they should consider.

Jacksonville Jaguars

There’s always time to come home. Ramsey started his career in Jacksonville, and I think it could make sense for both sides to reunite. Whether they play him at outside cornerback or safety, Ramsey fills a need for another impact player next to Tyson Campbell and Jourdan Lewis, or if the team believes in rookie Jarrian Jones, they can play Ramsey at safety. For a team that uses veterans to raise the floor of their roster, a Ramsey acquisition would be a hell of a floor raising move. Would Ramsey want to return to Duval County is the biggest question.

Who do you think should trade for Jalen Ramsey?