Rams' trade 'obstacles' could have significant impact on 2025 outlook

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay recently conceded that "obstacles" could hinder the team's attempt to trade for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

If correct, it could limit what the Rams are capable of in 2025.

On Wednesday, NFL.com's Kevin Patra wrote about McVay's candid comments when asked about a potential Ramsey deal at Rams minicamp in Maui.

"Definitely don't want to rule anything out... but there would be some obstacles that are real that are in place of maybe preventing that from occurring," McVay divulged.

According to Patra, Ramsey is owed $24.3 million this season. Per Over The Cap, Los Angeles has $21.868 million in available cap space.

In April, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier announced the team intends to trade Ramsey before the start of the 2025 season. 

The Rams could certainly use the star CB. Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are penciled in as the team's top two corners. Both were subpar in 2024.

In Week 14, NFL Pro highlighted the duo's struggles:

"Among 83 wide cornerbacks with at least 20 targets as the nearest defender in coverage this season, Darious Williams (75.0% and Ahkello Witherspoon (70.0%) have allowed the 2nd-highest and 7th-highest completion percentages, respectively."

Williams ended the season allowing 41 receptions on 60 targets, a catch rate of 68.3 percent, or 5.3 percentage points above expectation, for 596 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Witherspoon appeared in 13 games (five starts) and allowed 30 receptions, 393 receiving yards and three touchdowns with one interception on 45 targets. Quarterbacks posted a robust 107 passer rating against him in coverage. (h/t NFL Pro)

Los Angeles would benefit from reacquiring Ramsey, who played 57 games with the organization from 2019 to 2022, during which time he made three Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice.

While he had a down year (by his standards) in 2024, posting a career-low 12.9 percent tight-window throw rate — defined as the percentage of targets when a defender gives a receiver less than a yard of separation — Ramsey would still represent a significant upgrade at cornerback.

The Rams could have one of the league's top offenses this season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is among the league's best quarterbacks, while running back Kyren Williams is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including a career-high 1,299 yards in 2024.

During the offseason, Los Angeles signed three-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. Paired with third-year wideout Puka Nacua, the Rams have a 1-2 receiving pair as good as any in the NFL.

As talented as the offense is, the Rams' secondary must punch above its weight for the team to be a legitimate 2025 contender. In 2024, Los Angeles ranked 20th against the pass and allowed 29 passing touchdowns, including 12 of at least 20 yards. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars (14) and Houston Texans (16) allowed more deep passing touchdowns.

Ramsey would solve arguably the Rams' biggest problem, but based on McVay's comments, a trade is little more than a pipe dream. Unless their secondary improves from what it put on tape in 2024, a Super Bowl could be just as unrealistic.