NFL rumors: Jalen Ramsey trade market has two early leaders

With reports indicating the Los Angeles Rams are preparing to trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler listed two teams as potential suitors.

The 2023 league year is only a couple of weeks away, with all eyes being on the free agency negotiation window opening between March 13-15. But, there are some trades to keep an eye on as well, most notably Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero broke the news that the Rams have had trade talks surrounding Ramsey, and the belief is that he will be dealt in the coming weeks.

With a player the caliber of Ramsey being available, fans are wondering which teams they should keep an eye on as potential landing spots.

During an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Sunday, insider Jeremy Fowler discussed the Ramsey situation. One team that he says he’s heard come up is the Detroit Lions. Fowler also brings up the Las Vegas Raiders as a team that could use Ramsey’s talents.

Lions, Raiders linked to Jalen Ramsey trade

"“Now, Jalen Ramsey. This could be a hot market on the trade front. The Rams are talking calls here, so I’ve talked to some teams this weekend to see what’s going on here and the Detroit Lions come up fairly often,” said Fowler, h/t Bleacher Report. “It’s just a reasonable potential fit because Brad Holmes, the GM there, was with the Rams for a long time, he knows Ramsey’s game, they need cornerback help. They’ve been sort of a build through the draft team, but could be one to watch. Las Vegas Raiders need help there, so Ramsey, with his skillset, only 28 years old, even though he’s due $17 million should have some suitors.”"

The Lions are in a position where they can add some big talent to make a push to the playoffs. After all, they just missed out on a Wild Card spot this past season, but they were able to eliminate the Green Bay Packers from playoff contention with a Week 18 win.

As Fowler mentions, Lions general manager Brad Holmes spent a lengthy amount of time with the Rams. He started off as a scouting assistant in 2003 and worked his way to director of college scouting from 2013 until 2020. Let’s not forget that in his first year on the job, he acquired Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the Matthew Stafford trade. Could there be another trade with the Rams on the table for Holmes?

The Raiders, meanwhile, underperformed expectations this past season, despite making the playoffs the year prior. They do have a need at cornerback, as they have cornerbacks set to hit free agency, including Rock-Ya Sin and Anthony Averett.

This past season, Ramsey recorded 88 combined tackles (64 solo, 24 assisted), 18 passes defended, four interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. In coverage, Ramsey allowed 57 receptions for 659 yards and five touchdowns on 91 targets, per Pro Football Reference.

The Rams and Raiders should be teams to keep an eye on as potential landing spots for Ramsey.