As intrigue grows around Jalen Ramsey's future in LA, could the superstar corner wind up in Detroit? Let's just say this: Ramsey isn't ruling it out.
(No matter what Micah Parsons says down in Dallas.)
We can thank Amon-Ra St. Brown for fanning these flames. After the Lions were named as a potential landing spot for Ramsey should he and the Rams part ways this offseason, St. Brown made a pitch to Ramsey via the podcast Detroit's star receiver hosts with his brother.
“Jalen, if you can hear this, I know you played with [Jared] Goff before. Detroit might seem like a landing spot, my guy. Talk to me, talk to me," St. Brown said last week.
Well on Tuesday, Ramsey replied:
Ramsey does have a history with two of the most prominent figures in the Lions organization. He was teammates with Goff from 2019-20, during which time Lions GM Brad Holmes was the Rams' director of college scouting. In theory, Holmes would have the inside track with Rams GM Les Snead, his mentor in LA, if Ramsey hits the trade market this offseason.
Ramsey, as he noted himself, isn't getting cut. His $24.6 million dead cap hit, per Over The Cap, is a non-starter for the Rams. But with the Rams headed for a potential rebuild a year after going all-in to win the Super Bowl, Ramsey could be eyeing a trade. And the Lions could be an attractive suitor after emerging this season as a legitimate threat in the NFC.
Detroit has the assets to strike a deal, including two first-rounders and two second-rounders in this year's draft. It also has a glaring need at cornerback. It could opt to fill it via the draft, but even the best college corners are no sure thing in the NFL. (See: Okudah, Jeff.) If the Lions want to immediately upgrade that position, acquiring a player like Ramsey is the best way to do it.
And trading Ramsey is the best way for the Rams replenish their draft capital and clear cap space.
Ramsey, 28, is signed through 2025 with cap hits of $25.2, $26.7 and $22.7 million. His play slipped a bit in 2022, but he still made the Pro Bowl for the sixth year in a row, was a first-team All-Pro the two seasons before that and finished with a career-high 18 passes defended. He also tied a career-high with four picks, two of which came in the Rams' season finale when they nearly beat the Seahawks to open the door for Detroit to make the playoffs.
"Tried my hardest," said Ramsey.
Now Holmes might try his hardest to bring him to Detroit.
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