NFL Free Agency 2021: 5 best players who could hit the open market

3. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams cornerback

When the Rams made the trade for Jalen Ramsey they hoped he’d be the final piece in their Super Bowl puzzle. Things didn’t work out that way for the talented defensive back, but that doesn’t mean he’s not an elite player.

Most NFL executives believe Los Angeles will do everything they can to keep Ramsey on the team for the long haul. Letting him go for nothing in free agency would make the franchise’s decision to trade for him look really bad. That doesn’t mean Ramsey will give them anything approximating a hometown discount.

He’s never made a secret about his desire to get paid. That means the Rams will either need to reward his stellar play with a lucrative extension or be prepared to let him walk.

Cornerback continues to be a more and more valuable position around the league. The idea of a legitimate All-Pro hitting the market in his prime is enough to make even the most conservative defensive coaches in the league start to salivate. If Ramsey hits the open market, he’ll become the highest-paid corner in the game.