Dolphins, Rams agree on trade that brings All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to Miami
In exchange for Ramsey, the Dolphins send the Rams a 2023 third-round pick, No. 77 overall, and tight end Hunter Long. The Dolphins, on the eve of free agent negotiations beginning Monday, were in the market for a top cornerback. The Dolphins also had fellow cornerback Xavien Howard struggle through groin injuries despite earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, and...
The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams have agreed on a trade that sends three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Miami, according to a league source Sunday.
In exchange for Ramsey, the Dolphins send the Rams a 2023 third-round pick, No. 77 overall, and tight end Hunter Long.
The Dolphins, on the eve of free agent negotiations beginning Monday, were in the market for a top cornerback. The team recently cut Byron Jones after his failed rehab from lower left leg surgery in March 2022 that never allowed him to suit up for Miami last season. The Dolphins also had fellow cornerback Xavien Howard struggle through groin injuries despite earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, and nickel cornerback Nik Needham’s season ended prematurely due to a torn Achilles.
Ramsey has made three All-Pros and six Pro Bowls in seven NFL seasons between the Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was a member of Los Angeles’ 2021 Super Bowl-winning team. The former Florida State standout has 19 career interceptions, including four each of the past two seasons, and 92 pass deflections. He was rated No. 3 among NFL cornerbacks in 2022, behind the New York Jets’ Sauce Gardner and Denver Broncos’ Patrick Surtain II.
Ramsey had three years left on his contract before the trade, due $17 million next season, and his cap hit for 2024 and 2025 are $18.5 million and $19.5 million, respectively. According to NFL Network, an adjusted contract now gives him the next two years fully guaranteed, averaging $20 million over those seasons. He added $25 million in guarantees upon the trade.
The Dolphins cleared cap space over the last several days by first restructuring outside linebacker Bradley Chubb’s contract for $14 million in cap relief Thursday and then reworking wide receiver Tyreek Hill and left tackle Terron Armstead’s deals for close to an additional $30 million in savings.
Before the trade went through, CBS Sports’ initial report labeled trade talks as “deep discussions” with “a high likelihood” it happens.
As news was breaking on Twitter, Ramsey appeared excited, posting a video of rapper Lil’ Yachty in an enthusiastic live performance with the caption, “MOOD.”
After the trade went through, Ramsey tweeted: “I prayed for this specifically for about a month & now it’s happening! @MiamiDolphins LETSGO!”
The Dolphins, in a win-now mode, are down to four selections in the upcoming late April draft. Miami still has a second-round pick, another third, a sixth and a seventh. They also made four picks in the 2022 draft.
Miami has become a destination for veteran players as the franchise continues to make big acquisitions. Last offseason was headlined by a trade for Hill and the free-agent addition of Armstead. The team also traded for Chubb, using their first-round pick in the upcoming draft, to enhance its pass rush at last season’s trade deadline.
The Ramsey trade comes as the first major upgrade this offseason for a Dolphins defense that will now be led by veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Improving the defense was a must after Miami finished the 2022 regular season 30th in takeaways, 27th in pass defense, 24th in scoring defense and third-down defense and 18th in total defense.
If Howard can return to form entering his age-30 season, Ramsey and Howard can form a premier cornerback combination in the NFL — all while the Dolphins already might have the league’s best wide receiver duo of Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Miami also has last year’s upstart undrafted rookie Kader Kohou returning, along with hopes that Needham can progress from the torn Achilles if he is brought back in free agency. Additionally, the team has Keion Crossen and Noah Igbinoghene under contract and Trill Williams as an exclusive restricted free agent.
Long’s time with the Dolphins comes to an end after two nondescript seasons that resulted in just one reception since he was drafted in the third round in 2021 out of Boston College. He played in 16 games over his first two professional seasons in Miami and was never even targeted in coach Mike McDaniel’s offense in 2022.
Trading one third-round pick to the Rams, the Dolphins still hold another, a result of dealing ex-wide receiver DeVante Parker to the New England Patriots last offseason.
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