Rams should make this move instead of trading for Jalen Ramsey

The Los Angeles Rams haven’t done much to shore up the cornerback position—whether through free agency or the NFL Draft—and it’s easy to connect the dots on a Jalen Ramsey trade now that the Miami Dolphins have stated the parties agreed “to move forward separately”. Reportedly the Dolphins are potentially willing to eat money in order to facilitate a trade for the veteran. Fans must be weary of this report because that, in tandem, likely increases the compensation in order to acquire Ramsey.

On the surface a reunion between the Rams and Ramsey make sense. LA renewed their vows with Matthew Stafford for seemingly a two-year run at the Super Bowl. Ramsey is better-suited to play for a team that is set to win now given that he’s into the late stages of his career.

But are there better alternatives for the Rams than to bring back a player they have already moved on from previously? Should they throw nostalgia out the window and blaze a new path forward at the corner position?

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Rams should sign Asante Samuel, Jr. instead of a Ramsey trade

Ahead of free agency I wrote that Samuel fits LA’s corner profile based on his size and ball skills. He’s obviously a much different player than Ramsey and won’t contribute in run defense—something Ramsey still does at a high level.

It was surprising to watch Samuel go unsigned during the free agent period, but now is the time of year that teams revisit the remaining pool and divvy out one-year, “prove it” deals so players can bet on themselves in hopes of getting a more significant pay day next offseason. Samuel seems primed for that sort of contract, though it’s also fair to wonder whether he remains available because of injury concerns that this NFL is privy to but the general media isn’t.

Ramsey is on the wrong side of age 30 and seems discontent with his contract and compensation on a nearly annual basis. It’s fair to say that production equals tolerance; however, Ramsey could quickly wear out his welcome should decline set in.

Perhaps the smarter bet would be to sign the age 25 corner and former second round pick. Injuries aside, Samuel also fell out of favor with the Los Angeles Chargers during the regime shift to Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter. There was little room left for undersized, zone corners who aren’t always eager tacklers. That’s less of a concern for the other LA team, as nearly every individual in the Rams’ corner room are of similar stature and are more adept in zone than man.

Is Samuel a better play than Ramsey today? Probably not. Would Ramsey help the Rams win more games in 2025 than Samuel? Probably.

To me the evaluation comes down to one key question:

Is it better to trade away future draft compensation for a corner on the wrong side of 30 whose best days are behind him rather than to sign a relatively young free agent on a one-year deal? The signing is obviously less risky, but likely has nowhere near the upside that trading for Ramsey does.

Which move will the Rams make?