NFL trade grades: Dolphins acquire Jalen Ramsey for pennies on the dollar

The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams have agreed to trade Jalen Ramsey. How does each team fare?

The Miami Dolphins are acquiring six-time Pro Bowl champion Jalen Ramsey, in exchange for third-round pick (#77) and tight end Hunter Long, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The trade will be formally processed on Wednesday.

The trade has now been agreed upon, according to the sources:

🏈 Dolphins get Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey.

🏈 Ramat gets 2023 from the third round (No. 77) and TE Hunter Long.

Trading will be processed on Wednesday, when the league year begins. pic.twitter.com/0KJIeoS6fj

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2023

Ramsay responded to the news on Twitter.

Commerce Degrees Jalen Ramsey:

The Los Angeles Rams have been shopping Ramsey at the mall for the past month. In February, NFL Network’s Tom Bellisero reported that the Rams were involved in trade talks for Ramsey.

Let’s take a look at each team’s performance in the deal.

Miami Dolphins Commercial Class: A

Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Last season, he earned a PFF score of 86.4 (his highest since 2017). In coverage, Ramsey was targeted 91 times, which was seventh in the NFL. Despite the size, he allowed a passer rating of only 84.5, which was 4.6 points below the NFL average. He also had his best season as a coach. Ramsey racked up a career-high 88 combined tackles, while also recording a career-best 3.3 lost tackle percentage.

Ramsey will join a talented Dolphins secondary that includes former All-Pro linebacker Xavian Howard and safety Jevon Holland.

Dolphins will pay a small price for a player of nominal caliber. He’s holding a cap of $17 million this season, which Miami has room to accommodate. Meanwhile, the third-round pick and Long aren’t huge losses, given their current roster.

Los Angeles Rams Commercial Grade: D+

I get it. The Rams had negative ceiling space, but Ramsey’s transfer only saved them $5.6 million. The return is also disappointing. The Rams traded first round picks for Ramsey in 2019. He is 28 years old and plays at the elite level.

Long is an interesting inclusion. The tight end has only one career reception. He was a third round pick in 2021. He will add some depth behind Tyler Higbee.

This move benefits the Rams’ long-term outlook. They’ll absorb a $19.6 million dead cap hit this season, according to Spotrac. Therefore, Ramsey’s contract will be completely off the record in 2024.

With that in mind, the Rams could be sellers this season looking to retool it for competition in 2024.

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