What are some pros and cons surrounding the Carolina Panthers potentially targeting cornerback Jalen Ramsey via trade from the Los Angeles Rams?
One of the league’s most accomplished cornerbacks could be on the move if recent reports are accurate. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network revealed that the Los Angeles Rams have been taking calls regarding a trade for Jalen Ramsey, with the insider adding a deal is “very likely” to get done in the coming days.
This is part of the Rams’ cost-cutting and almost starting from scratch after sacrificing substantial draft capital and financial resources to attain a Super Bowl. The Carolina Panthers need help within their secondary, but whether Ramsey is someone they have their eye on is another matter.
Ramsey played at an exceptionally high level in 2022 and is still in his prime. Much will depend on what the Rams want for his services, but there should be a queue of teams investigating the prospect of bringing him on board.
With this in mind, here are three pros and cons of the Panthers making a move for Ramsey this offseason.
Pro No. 1
Carolina Panthers have CB problems
Ejiro Evero has some complications at the cornerback position heading into his first season as defensive coordinator. Donte Jackson faces a long road back from a torn Achilles, with Keith Taylor Jr. and C.J. Henderson’s inconsistent production something else that raises alarm bells heading into the offseason.
Jaycee Horn is a stud, but more is needed. Whether any potential options include an elite-level presence like Jalen Ramsey is debatable in the circumstances.
Carolina Panthers cannot afford Jalen Ramsey
The Los Angeles Rams are making a huge call by shopping Jalen Ramsey. His production remains to an outstanding standard in all phases, so cutting the player loose is a huge risk even if the compensation might enable them to find a capable replacement via the 2023 NFL Draft.
While a ton of teams could do with Ramsey on their roster, the NFL is a business. When push comes to shove, the Carolina Panthers might not be able to afford Ramsey when one factors everything into the equation.
First, there’s the compensation. One expects the Rams would want a high-end second-rounder and perhaps more for Ramsey, which is easily doable for the Panthers following their decision to trade Christian McCaffrey before the deadline.
However, with many pressing needs and the potential of trading up for a future franchise quarterback, Ramsey might not be in their current train of thought. And the hope is for Ejiro Evero to progress Carolina’s current options far better than the previous regime.
Second, the contract Ramsey currently has doesn’t fit into a team that is currently $4.11 million over the cap according to Spotrac. Moving money around is always doable – so it cannot be ruled out entirely – and the cornerback doesn’t have any guaranteed money on his deal after the 2023 season, either.
Carolina Panthers would have NFL’s best CB pair
If the Carolina Panthers did land Jalen Ramsey – however unlikely it might be – then they would instantly have the league’s best shutdown cornerback tandem. Something that would be a significant asset to Ejiro Evero during his first season as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Pairing Ramsey with Jaycee Horn comes with untold potential. Both players have proven credentials when it comes to locking down one side of the field, which would allow the front seven additional time to do their thing in pursuit of making plays.
Horn came on leaps and bounds over his second season. This was especially encouraging after the former first-round selection missed so much of his rookie campaign through injury.
Adding a player of Ramsey’s caliber provides the Panthers with three top-10 picks at the cornerback position. Although it appears doubtful that C.J. Henderson will ever reach these lofty expectations.
This part of the offseason is for speculation. For dreaming. For wonder.
If the Panthers did somehow acquire Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams, it represents a major statement of intent. One that would only increase expectations for a potential playoff return in the opening year of Frank Reich’s reign in 2023.
Just don’t put your house on it.