The Los Angeles Rams have acquired All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday evening. The Rams will send a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 first-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick to Jacksonville in the deal.
The Rams made a puzzling move just hours earlier when they sent cornerback Marcus Peters to Baltimore. This deal solves that puzzle. Ramsey will step in as the Rams’ lead cornerback alongside Troy Hill as Aqib Talib recovers from a rib injury.
Ramsey has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL since entering the league in 2016. The fifth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ramsey was a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s dominant defense in 2017 and helped lead the Jaguars to the AFC championship game that season. He’s a clear upgrade over Peters, Hill and Talib. The Rams are pairing one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL with Aaron Donald. This defense should take a major step forward in the coming weeks.
The move is a clear indication that the Rams have no plans to throw in the towel this season despite the 3-3 start. The two first-round picks mark the fourth and fifth consecutive firsts that the Rams have traded. Their last first-round pick was Jared Goff, the first overall selection in 2016.
Ramsey has one year left on his contract worth $13.7 million. It’s unlikely that the Rams acquired the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback without expecting to pay him. It’s one of several major financial decisions to make this offseason.
