Denver Broncos: Should a Jalen Ramsey trade be considered?

Should the Denver Broncos consider pursuing Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a trade? We explore the cost and benefits.

Should the Denver Broncos explore the idea of trading for Jacksonville Jaguars star cornerback Jalen Ramsey?

That’s a complicated question with no definitive answer at this point because we don’t know what it’s going to cost for the Broncos or any team to actually pull off a trade for Ramsey, but it’s certainly an idea worth looking into.

It was reported on Monday that Ramsey has requested a trade away from Jacksonville. He has two years left on his contract, has been very vocal about wanting a new deal and has even been vocal about playing in other cities, like his hometown of Nashville (a division rival of the Jaguars, no less) or Las Vegas when the Raiders move there next year.

Ramsey openly discussed the idea of leaving the team he’s currently working for on a podcast this year.

https://twitter.com/TaylorLewan77/status/1173764018558898176

On the one hand, you don’t really like to see or hear that from a star player and a guy who is supposed to be setting an example on the team. Players should feel free to speak their minds but this certainly does not make you want to trade high draft picks for a guy if he’s not committed to the team and already has an idea of where he wants to be in mind.

But there are reasons to explore the idea of trading for Ramsey. The most important reason? He’s really good at his job.

Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, especially in man coverage. That could be a negative for the Broncos right away because Vic Fangio’s defense uses a lot of zone coverage, which Ramsey is apparently not super happy with right now in Jacksonville.

Still, the Broncos also play plenty of man coverage, and Fangio is smart enough to know that if your scheme doesn’t fit a player like Jalen Ramsey, you need to change the scheme.

Then there’s the matter of what it would cost to trade for a guy like this. Ramsey is an established star player in the NFL, but he’s only got the 14 remaining games this season and next year on his contract.

What do you give up for a player with just two years left on his deal and an apparent desire for a new contract immediately?

A first-round pick? Picks that equal out to a first-round value or better?

Just before he was traded to the Steelers, I suggested the Broncos make a substantial offer for Minkah Fitzpatrick. I wasn’t for the idea of trading for Ramsey as I thought he was in the final year of his contract, but he’s under contract through 2020.

With that being the case, I think this is something to look into because, worst-case scenario, you could recoup some trade value for him if you get him for this year and next year, then franchise tag him the following offseason.

There’s also a benefit to trading for him and working out a new contract for him now because the cap hits on a new deal won’t come until 2021.

The Broncos also don’t have Chris Harris Jr. under contract after this season. Their top two corners in 2020 will be Bryce Callahan (who is yet to play for the Broncos) and Isaac Yiadom, who has struggled this year.

The Broncos obviously also have free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft to add players at corner, but if there’s a chance they would use prime assets on a corner in free agency or the draft, why not consider paying the high price for Ramsey?

At this point in time, it’s very difficult for the Broncos to think about trading their first-round pick because they’re 0-2 and are coming off of back-to-back years finishing with a top 10 draft choice.

If they continue on the road they are on, they would be looking at giving up another top 10-15 pick for Ramsey. Can they afford that? Probably not, especially if they were to get burned and Ramsey would leave to sign with another team after 2020.

Or worse — demand a trade before the 2020 season.

Ramsey seems like the type of guy who can play well and still be vocal about his contract situation. So it stands to reason that if the Broncos would trade for him, it would be with a long-term plan in mind to keep him and keep him satisfied.

With Harris potentially leaving at the end of the season and no other plan currently in place, why not try for a guy like Ramsey now and get that position solidified for years to come?

It’s probably worth the cost if the Broncos could give up, say two second-round picks and maybe a player like Yiadom or something like that. Maybe that’s not enough for the Jaguars for a player of this caliber, but the Broncos would have to be creative since they are not in a position to just give out first-round picks right now.

The cost is going to be high, but sometimes it’s worth giving up unproven commodities like draft picks for proven young players like Ramsey.

Pros

• Ramsey makes the defense a lot better immediately
• Solidifies the top CB spot for years to come?
• Prevents a division rival from getting him

Cons

• Possible he leaves in 2021
• Cost in terms of draft capital
• Cost in terms of a new contract

Imagining the Broncos’ top five defensive backs for this year being Chris Harris, Jalen Ramsey, Bryce Callahan, Justin Simmons, and Kareem Jackson is pretty outstanding.

Can you imagine if the pass rush could figure things out?

I’m sure many Broncos fans will not agree but considering Ramsey still has two years left on his rookie contract, this is something the team should consider if the price is fair.