As the NFL draft concludes and mandatory minicamps approach next month, it is important to recognize that teams are still active in scouting talent for the upcoming 2025 season. Injuries may arise and players could be signed or traded throughout the summer, which suggests that the roster adjustments are far from complete. Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to be a pivotal name in the conversation surrounding potential trades in the upcoming months.

Trade discussions surrounding Ramsey have been prevalent throughout the offseason, although a deal has yet to materialize. NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that while there is "nothing imminent," the date of June 1 is significant. After this date, the remaining dead money on Ramsey's contract can be distributed over the 2025 and 2026 seasons, rather than being absorbed entirely this season. Consequently, trading Ramsey prior to June 1 would incur an additional cost of $12.6 million in 2025 cap space for the Dolphins; trading him afterward would actually grant them a saving of $5.9 million. With this crucial deadline fast approaching, it's an opportune moment to explore teams that might pursue Ramsey in the post-draft period.

It is essential to clarify that the Dolphins are not looking to move Ramsey due to any decline in performance. The seven-time Pro Bowler may not have been named an all-star last season, but he participated in all 17 games and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 83.2 in coverage. According to defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, the decision to part ways stems from the dynamics of the player-team relationship. He noted, "He played very good ball for us, but relationships are hard. Both sides have mutually chosen to go the other way," as reported by C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald. Financial considerations could also be influential in this decision, as Ramsey's base salary is a modest $1.3 million for the current season, but that figure will rise to $10 million in 2026 and 2027, then escalate to $21.1 million by 2028. While Miami may be ready to let go of the 30-year-old cornerback, it remains clear that he could be an asset for a team that believes it is in a strong position to contend for a championship in the near future.

One such potential candidate is the Atlanta Falcons, who are optimistic about making a playoff push with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leading the charge in 2025. The Falcons have already invested two first-round picks in defensive talent with linebacker Jalon Walker and pass-rusher James Pearce Jr. Notably, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine identified cornerback as the Falcons' top need following the draft. Additionally, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris previously coached Ramsey for two seasons when he was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, a fact that could enhance the appeal of such a move.

The Baltimore Ravens, who ranked 31st in passing yards allowed during the 2024 season, also stand out as a possible destination for Ramsey, though this statistic can be misleading. The Ravens experienced early struggles under first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr but improved significantly as the season progressed. They have bolstered their secondary by adding Chidobe Awuzie in free agency and using sixth-round picks on cornerbacks Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. However, taking a chance on Ramsey is certainly within the realm of possibility and aligns with Baltimore's recent attempts to close the gap on powerhouse teams like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. General manager Eric DeCosta is known for acquiring veteran players if he believes they can contribute to the team's success, having previously traded for stars such as Odell Beckham Jr., Derrick Henry, and DeAndre Hopkins. Furthermore, there is a coaching connection to consider; Weaver spent three seasons with the Ravens before joining the Dolphins. If the defensive schemes of Weaver and Orr align closely, Ramsey could transition smoothly into Baltimore's defense.

The Cincinnati Bengals may also have substantial interest in acquiring Ramsey—not solely to prevent him from joining a division rival like the Ravens. As the franchise seeks to maximize the Super Bowl window for quarterback Joe Burrow, injuries have hindered their playoff prospects in recent years. Despite only making the postseason twice since Burrow's arrival in 2020, the Bengals have reached the AFC Championship game twice, including a Super Bowl appearance, when he is healthy. The previous season, Burrow participated in all 17 games yet the Bengals fell short of the playoffs, largely attributed to defensive shortcomings. With the team finishing 25th in both yards and points allowed, organizational changes were made, including the dismissal of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in favor of Notre Dame's Al Golden. Yet, the Bengals have not added any new cornerback talent this offseason, despite having finished in the lower third of the league in several defensive metrics. If they are to experience a defensive turnaround in 2025, pursuing Ramsey could be a prudent step before training camp begins.

Similarly, the Los Angeles Rams are interested in making the most out of Matthew Stafford's remaining playing days as he approaches the latter stages of his career at age 37. Following his revised contract agreement this offseason, Stafford is under contract for two more years, but uncertainty looms around his long-term availability. After initially embracing a strategy focused on drafting rather than trading for veteran stars—a method that brought them success in winning the Lombardi Trophy in 2021—general manager Les Snead remains open to the possibility of re-acquiring Ramsey, who was sent to Miami two years ago. Head coach Sean McVay indicated that he has maintained regular communication with Ramsey since his trade, emphasizing that those discussions are ongoing.

The Rams currently face a significant need at cornerback, having ranked 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season, and did not add any new talent to the position in the draft or free agency. Therefore, seeing Ramsey return to Los Angeles would not be surprising given the current circumstances.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while perhaps not an obvious candidate, could nonetheless find Ramsey's presence valuable. Despite having signed Kindle Vildor and selecting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the draft, the Buccaneers ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season. As they strive for deeper playoff runs after winning the NFC South for four consecutive years, the Bucs face stiff competition from talented quarterbacks in the conference, including Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, and Stafford. An experienced cornerback like Ramsey could enhance the Buccaneers' aspirations. Notably, Ramsey also expressed interest in potentially transitioning to safety at some stage in his career, a position Tampa could consider due to their depth concerns in that area.

Likewise, the Washington Commanders also added depth to their cornerback unit by signing Jonathan Jones and selecting Trey Amos relatively early in the draft. They also made a move last season by trading for Marshon Lattimore but unfortunately were unable to witness his full impact on the field due to injuries. Despite adding new pieces to the defense, the Commanders could still benefit from a seasoned veteran like Ramsey, who could enhance their overall performance.

The Commanders were notably one of the league's biggest surprises in 2024. Following a culture shift under new head coach Dan Quinn, the contributions of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, and a significant roster overhaul, Washington transitioned from a four-win team to one that reached the NFC Championship Game the following season. However, expectations are high, and with a schedule that is rated as the eighth toughest for 2025, the Commanders could benefit from further bolstering their defense. With only seven interceptions recorded in the previous season, adding a playmaker like Ramsey—who has a career total of 24 interceptions—could significantly impact their chances of success.