Jalen Ramsey could be the missing piece for the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. Despite having a top-five defense in the NFL, that “top unit” fell apart early last year due to breakdowns in communications and a lack of starting-quality safeties. However, adding a bona fide former Super Bowl Champ and experienced Pro-Bowler like Ramsey seems like the perfect move to make to put them over the top this upcoming season for the Lombardi.
Although Baltimore lost Ar’Darius Washington, Ramsey could be used in a “joker” role and play some nickel corner, dime linebacker, and some safety in a rotation in a pinch for Baltimore. They still have stud safety Kyle Hamilton, who is due for an extension, and veteran Marlon Humphrey, along with second-year potential breakout Nate Wiggins.
A Ramsey trade could solidify a rock-solid secondary and ensure that the defense, mainly the secondary, doesn’t get to a rocky start like it did in 2024. If this move were made, it would make the Ravens have a top-tier secondary/ defense with veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie and rookie safety Malaki Starks as their other main moves this offseason in that department.
Salary Is Available for a Potential Ramsey Trade
The silver lining is that while it is beneficial for having more cap space, it is likely to lead to upcoming extensions for multiple players, including Hamilton, like Lamar Jackson. Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, and maybe Odafe Oweh. However, that could be a sign that more extensions would free up salary for at least this year, but for any team that trades for Ramsey, they will likely have to redo his contract (Spotrac).
That is due to his egregious salary after 2025, as in 2026 and 2027, he is due a $10 million base per year. In 2028, that climbs north up to a $21 million base, and the following three seasons are void under his current contract. The 30-year-old veteran would be almost 35 at that point, so his days as an All-Pro defensive back are certainly numbered.
However, what I would say to that’s that if he wants to chase a ring, unless it’s a reunion with the Los Angeles Rams, the Ravens do make sense if they restructure his current deal. Baltimore has a relatively easy path in the AFC North, at least on paper, and is competing with teams like the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals as their main competition in the AFC.
I would say “relatively” easy just because of the quarterbacks in the division and how the Ravens have been just at the precipice of greatness at overcoming other AFC juggernauts. With the best roster assembled around Jackson on paper in Baltimore and with a clear window open, it is clear to see why they can surpass their last two seasons and continue the streak of winning the AFC North.
With not many holes on the roster, if I were the Ravens, I would offer a day two pick and a potential player or two, as Miami has been in trade talks this offseason about giving away the All-Pro cornerback.
