From the AFC South to the NFC West for the game's top cornerback

Ramsey traded to Rams for two firsts

Cody Stoots
Oct 15, 2019, 6:09 pm
Photo via: Jaguars/Facebook

Jalen Ramsey finally got his way and is on his way out of Jacksonville.

The deal

This isn't too far from what the Texans gave up for Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills. It is a hefty price to pay for cornerback help after they traded away Marcus Peters and put Aqib Talib on injured reserve.

This is a desperation move for the Rams who are squarely in win-now mode. It will be interesting to see how they work Ramsey into a future that includes heavy prices for Aaron Donald, Jared Goff, and Todd Gurley.

As for the Jaguars, there is almost no chance a player of Ramsey's talent is available where the Jaguars select using these Rams picks. But, Ramsey clearly wasn't playing for them. They might have done the best they could do in regards of what deals they could get for the stud cornerback.

Rams outlook

This doesn't help their offense but my goodness their defense got so much better. They have the best defensive lineman in football and now the best player in the secondary in the NFL.

Wade Phillips has to be smiling from ear to ear with this move. Especially after they lost one stud corner to injury and one was moved.

Not to mention, they helped fortify their offensive line with another trade with the Browns as well. This doesn't immediately flip everything, but the Rams are much much better than when the game finished against the 49ers.

Jaguars outlook

​The Jaguars lose a leader and stud on defense while gaining a roster spot that was occupied by a player that wasn't going to play for them in 2019. This doesn't help the Jaguars at all in 2019 but it helps fortify a team down the road that might be cash strapped when looking to add talent.

It isn't the best move in the world, but once Ramsey made it clear he wasn't playing for the Jaguars this was the only move.

AFC South outlook

The Texans, Titans, and Colts have to be breathing a sigh of relief right now. To see a player of Ramsey's talent exit the division is huge. The Titans take over as the best cornerback room in the division but the Colts are no slouches either. It also ends the best 1-on-1 matchup in football which is DeAndre Hopkins and Jalen Ramsey when those two square off in what used to be a twice-yearly headline.

NFC West Outlook

The Rams defense is now the second-best unit behind the 49ers. They also now have the best secondary in the division when you factor in the depth of their safety spot and what Ramsey brings to the table. The 49ers and Seahawks have already missed Ramsey once, so the Cardinals will get the Ramsey experience twice. This could tip the scales towards the Rams in an intense matchup between Seattle or the 49ers if their offense could get going.

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How AL West free agency splashes just became tidal waves for Correa, Astros

Correa knows it's time for his payday. Composite image by Jack Brame.

The Rangers made a big splash over the weekend when they agreed to terms on a 7-year $175 million contract with infielder Marcus Semien. Apparently, that was just the tip of the iceberg. According to multiple reports, the Rangers have also added arguably the most coveted player in free agency, Corey Seager. Seager and the Rangers have agreed to a massive 10-year $325 million contract.

Before the Seager news broke, many were starting to wonder if teams would be willing to hand out 10-year deals for over 300 million dollars with the lockout just around the corner. Now we have our answer, and Carlos Correa has to be a very happy man to see how the market is shifting. The Rangers not only added two incredible players, but they also made it pretty much a certainty that Correa will either leave Houston, or the Astros will have to sign him to a long-term $300 million deal, which is not likely based on their stance on multi-year big money contracts.

The Rangers aren't the only team in the AL West making blockbuster moves. The Mariners agreed to terms with 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray on Monday. Ray and Seattle agreed to a 5-year, $115 million contract.

The Angels joined in on the action a couple of weeks ago when they signed Noah Syndergard to a 1-year 21 million dollar deal.

Clearly, the AL West is on notice that they're going to have to make big changes if they want to compete with the Houston Astros who have dominated the AL recently with 5 straight ALCS appearances and 3 trips to the World Series. With Correa likely out the door in Houston, these teams might believe this is a perfect time to make a run at the division and finally knock off the Astros. Only time will tell if these deals will work, and the Astros look to have a terrific team this season whether Correa returns or not.

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