With the NFL Draft concluded and mandatory minicamps scheduled to start next month, NFL teams continue to focus on refining their rosters ahead of the 2025 season. Even with the draft completed, there remain gaps to address, injuries to navigate, and ongoing player movements through trades and signings. Notably, Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey has emerged as a prominent figure in discussions surrounding potential trades as the offseason progresses.

Ramsey has been the subject of trade rumors for a significant portion of the offseason, although he has not yet been dealt. NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that while there is 'nothing imminent,' a pivotal date to keep in mind is June 1. Following this date, the dead money on Ramsey's contract can be distributed across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, rather than being applied solely to this season's salary cap. This arrangement suggests that trading Ramsey prior to June 1 would result in an additional $12.6 million in cap space loss for the Dolphins in 2025, whereas trading him afterward would save the team $5.9 million. With June 1 approaching rapidly, it is an opportune moment to consider which teams may pursue Ramsey post-draft and the rationale behind such moves.

It is important to acknowledge that the Dolphins do not seek to part ways with Ramsey because of his performance. Despite not earning Pro Bowl honors last season, the seven-time Pro Bowler started all 17 games and limited opposing quarterbacks to an impressive passer rating of just 83.2 while in coverage. Per defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, the decision to potentially trade Ramsey stems from the evolving relationship between the player and the organization. "He played very good ball for us, but relationships are hard. Both sides have mutually chosen to go the other way," Weaver stated. Additionally, financial considerations are likely influencing the situation. Ramsey's base salary stands at a modest $1.3 million for the current season; however, this figure is set to increase to $10 million in 2026 and 2027 before escalating to $21.1 million in 2028.

While Miami is prepared to part with the 30-year-old cornerback, it does not diminish his potential value for a team that believes it is in a competitive window for the next season or two. The Atlanta Falcons could fit this description. Atlanta aims to leverage second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to reach the playoffs in 2025, having already invested two first-round picks in defensive talents—linebacker Jalon Walker and pass-rusher James Pearce Jr. Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine has identified cornerback as the Falcons' most pressing need following the draft.

Notably, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has direct experience coaching Ramsey during his tenure as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. Another contender could be the Baltimore Ravens, who finished the 2024 season ranked 31st in passing yards allowed, a statistic that can be slightly misleading. While Baltimore's defense faced challenges early in the season under first-year coordinator Zach Orr, it showed significant improvement toward the end. The Ravens also addressed their secondary by acquiring Chidobe Awuzie in free agency and selecting cornerbacks Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam in the sixth round of the draft. Nevertheless, a trade for Ramsey would align with Baltimore’s objective of strengthening their cornerback depth as they strive to compete with teams like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl race.

Furthermore, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta has a track record of bringing in veteran players who can contribute to the team's success. In recent years, this philosophy has included acquiring talents like Odell Beckham Jr., Derrick Henry, and DeAndre Hopkins. Coaching connections could further facilitate Ramsey's adjustment to the Ravens, as Weaver previously spent three seasons in Baltimore before taking the reins as Miami's defensive coordinator. If the coaching philosophies of Weaver and Orr bear similarities, Ramsey’s transition could be relatively smooth.

The Cincinnati Bengals should also be keenly interested in acquiring Ramsey, motivated by the prospect of preventing an intra-division rival such as the Ravens from securing his services. Cincinnati's Super Bowl window hinges on the health of quarterback Joe Burrow, who has only led the team to the playoffs twice since entering the NFL in 2020, stymied by injuries that prematurely ended two of his seasons. Nevertheless, the Bengals have made two appearances in the AFC Championship game—one of which culminated in a trip to the Super Bowl—when Burrow has been at full strength. Following a disappointing season where the Bengals' defense ranked 25th in both yards and points allowed, significant changes were made, including the dismissal of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and the hiring of Notre Dame's Al Golden for the position. Despite a new schematic approach, the Bengals did not address their cornerback needs through acquisitions in free agency or the draft. If the Bengals aspire for a defensive turnaround in 2025, pursuing Ramsey before training camp could be critical.

As Cincinnati aims to capitalize on Burrow's prime years, the Los Angeles Rams are working to maximize the remaining seasons of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turned 37 in February and recently agreed to a revised contract after being given the green light to discuss potential moves with other teams. Stafford's current contract extends for two more seasons, but it is uncertain if he will continue playing beyond this year; thus, the Rams are also motivated to make the most of his tenure. Recently, general manager Les Snead has shifted away from acquiring veteran stars as part of his strategy, focusing more on the draft. However, the Rams have not dismissed the possibility of reuniting with Ramsey, who was traded to Miami two years ago. Head coach Sean McVay mentioned, "He and I have kept in great touch even since we ended up trading him to Miami. Those conversations are ongoing, as I’m sure they are with multiple teams." The potential return of Ramsey could fill a major void for Los Angeles, which ranked 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season and did not target the cornerback position during the offseason.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not be the most obvious destination for Ramsey but are nonetheless in the market for cornerback reinforcements. Tampa recently signed Kindle Vildor and drafted cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds, respectively. Nonetheless, the Buccaneers ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season and are looking to deepen their postseason run. Although Tampa has won the NFC South for four consecutive seasons, it has not advanced beyond the divisional round since its Super Bowl victory in 2020 with Tom Brady. Facing a competitive NFC landscape, bolstering its secondary with an experienced player like Ramsey could be advantageous. While Ramsey primarily plays cornerback, he previously expressed openness to transitioning to safety later in his career, indicating versatility that could benefit the Buccaneers.

Similarly, the Washington Commanders have made strides in upgrading their cornerback corps through free agency with the addition of Jonathan Jones, and they used a second-round pick on cornerback Trey Amos. They also brought in Marshon Lattimore at last year’s trade deadline, though he appeared in only five games, including the playoffs, due to injury issues. The Commanders were one of the league's most surprising teams in 2024, transforming from a four-win team to an NFC Championship game contender under new coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. While Washington is set to face higher expectations in the upcoming season and confront one of the toughest schedules in the league, adding a seasoned veteran like Ramsey could enhance their chances of success. After recording merely seven interceptions in the previous season, a player like Ramsey, who has accumulated 24 career interceptions, would serve as an asset to the Commanders' defensive efforts.