The Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams are putting the final touches on a blockbuster trade Sunday. According to reports, the Dolphins will receive 3x All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in exchange for a 2023 3rd round pick and TE Hunter Long.
Because trades cannot be processed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, the deal has not become official.
Ramsey, 28, tied a career high in interceptions with 4 in 2022, while adding the first two sacks of his NFL career in LA.
Originally drafted 5th overall in 2016, the former Florida State Seminole is a 6x Pro Bowler, who was a key contributor to the Rams Super Bowl LVI championship. Ramsey has long been viewed as one of the league’s top shutdown corners, and will look to help take the Dolphins over the top in their quest to return to their first Super Bowl since 1984.
Ramsey is currently signed to a 5yr/$100M contract, with $71.2M of that guaranteed. His current deal has a potential out in 2024, with him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
With upcoming cap hits of $17M, $18.5M, and $19.5M respectively, it’s largely expected that the Dolphins will look to restructure or extend Ramsey in order to maximize cap space.
Earlier this week Miami announced they plan to release CB Byron Jones in a cost-cutting move. The club plans to designate him as a post-June 1st cut which will save them approximately $13.6M in cap space for 2023. Ramsey is largely expected to slide into the spot left vacant by Jones’ departure.
Ramsey has spent 3 and a half seasons with the Rams, but was rumoured to be “expendable” as the franchise looks to recoup draft capital that they’re sorely lacking at the moment following numerous high profile trades over the past few seasons.
Heading back the other way is the 77th overall selection in this year’s draft and 6’5” 253lb tight end Hunter Long. Long has appeared in 16 contests over the past 2 years, but acted primarily as a blocker. For his career, the former Boston College alum has recorded only 2 starts and 1 reception for 8 yards.
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