The Pittsburgh Steelers are betting on cornerback Jalen Ramsey not being a problem for them as he was for the Miami Dolphins the past couple years. But it will be understandable if the Steelers and/or their fans feel a little uneasy about Ramsey in light of the latest rumblings about what went wrong between Ramsey and the Dolphins.
NFL insider Adam Caplan reported on FOX Sports Radio on Thursday that Ramsey expressed displeasure with how the Dolphins deployed him. Specifically, Caplan said Ramsey didn’t care for how former Miami defensive coordinator Vic Fangio used him in the slot during the 2023 season.
“He didn’t like the way that Vic Fangio was using him two years ago because he moved Ramsey around a lot,” Caplan said, via Steelers Depot’s Troy Montgomery. “Ramsey, if he had his druthers, as I understand it — and this happened with the Rams too because he played some nickel with the Rams — he’d like to be an outside corner.
“He’s got ideal length for that position.”
Interestingly, according to Pro Football Focus, Ramsey played only 15 snaps in the slot during the 2023. That was the only season Ramsey played for Fangio. The veteran defensive coordinator moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles before last season.
In 2024 under new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Ramsey played 185 defensive snaps in the slot. From 2021-22 with the Los Angeles Rams, Ramsey averaged 277 snaps aligned at nickel cornerback per season.
Ramsey has played at least 170 slot snaps in four of the past five years since his first full season with the Rams in 2020.
The 30-year-old became an All-Pro outside cornerback during his first three seasons in the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Caplan’s report is a potential indirect warning on Ramsey for the Steelers. That’s because Pittsburgh isn’t likely to deploy Ramsey at only outside cornerback.
The Steelers are adding Ramsey to a cornerback room that already has Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay. Pundits expect both to start on the outside.
Ramsey could play on the outside as well. But he’s unlikely to have a permanent role at outside cornerback with the Steelers in 2025.
“Porter and Slay seem set as Pittsburgh’s boundary corners,” Montgomery wrote. “Neither of them are particularly suited to play in the slot.
“Moving Ramsey around would be easier.”
It’s not just an assumption that Ramsey is going to play the nomad role in the Steelers secondary. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly reported immediately after the trade the team sees Ramsey as an outside cornerback, slot corner and even safety.
What I have been told is the Steelers’ view Jonnu Smith as a TE, a slot WR, and a fullback — they will use him in a very hybrid way in Arthur Smith’s offense.
AND they see Jalen Ramsey as an outside corner, slot corner, AND he can take some snaps at safety.
@PatMcAfeeShow
With Caplan’s report in mind, the obvious question becomes how are things going to be any different in Pittsburgh?
If Ramsey didn’t want to play in the slot with Miami, will he do it willing with the Steelers?
Montgomery argued Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin might be the difference. Tomlin has had a lot of experience working with big personalities. If any coach can maximize what Ramsey could provide playing a versatile role, it might be Tomlin.
If it doesn’t work, though, the acquisition of Ramsey could easily backfire in Pittsburgh’s face. As it’s currently structured, the Steelers secondary will likely only improve if Ramsey is willing to play multiple spots.
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