For the second straight offseason, the Miami Dolphins are trading for a star player.
The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins for a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft (No. 77 overall) and tight end Hunter Long, ESPN reported.
Ramsey celebrated joining the Dolphins on Twitter after news of the trade broke.
I prayed for this specifically for about a month & now it’s happening! 🙏🏾@MiamiDolphins LETSGO! 🧡
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 12, 2023
Ramsey has three years left on his contract but had no guaranteed money remaining. However, his contract was restructured, guaranteeing him $25 million as part of the trade, NFL Media reported. Miami was Ramsey’s preferred destination because the Dolphins were willing to guarantee the last two years of his deal.
The trade will be processed on Wednesday when the new league year begins.
“If Jalen Ramsey returns to the way he played prior to 2022, it’s a very good trade for Miami,” said Mike Tannenbaum, an analyst for The 33rd Team. “He had a down year last year, by his standards. Looking at it from the Rams’ perspective, they clear a lot of cap space and pick up a third-round pick and a serviceable tight end.”
Ramsey is a three-time, first-team All-Pro, most recently in 2021. He continued to produce in 2022, earning a Pro Bowl selection, despite the Rams’ struggles.
“Salary dumps are always ugly,” said Joe Banner, an analyst for The 33rd Team. “Miami got a very good player, but they are acting like they are all in as Super Bowl contenders this year. But they may be a year early on that.”
However, based on how the Dolphins have approached the last two offseasons, they believe the time to win is now.
The Dolphins are no strangers to blockbuster trades. Since bringing in coach Mike McDaniel, they’ve finalized deals for All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Miami hired highly-touted defensive coordinator Vic Fangio last month and already has standout players in Chubb, Jevon Holland, Jaelan Phillips and Christian Wilkins on defense.
“The Dolphins are going through a defensive philosophy change from a high-pressure defense to Fangio’s defense of rush four and play multiple coverages,” said Dave Wannstedt, an analyst for The 33rd Team. “To do that, you need experienced corners. Jalen Ramsey is experienced. You need talented corners that can play man and zone. Jalen Ramsey can do that, too.”
The Rams had a disappointing 2022 season after winning Super Bowl LVI a year earlier. They finished 5-12 last season, good for third place in the NFC West.
Injuries contributed to the Rams’ lack of success. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Super Bowl MVP wide receiver Cooper Kupp each missed eight games, while three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald missed six games.
Ramsey joins linebacker Bobby Wagner and pass rusher Leonard Floyd as notable players the Rams have parted ways with this offseason. The Rams are trying to soft reset the roster after they traded away most of their draft picks to build the team that won the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Miami, who made the playoffs in 2022 before losing in the first round to the Buffalo Bills, hopes Ramsey provides the advantage it needs in the AFC East.
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