With the NFL draft now concluded and mandatory minicamps on the horizon, teams continue to seek out opportunities to bolster their rosters ahead of the 2025 season. While some needs have been addressed through the draft, challenges persist, including injuries and ongoing trades and signings throughout the summer. Notably, Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey could be among the players moving to a new destination in the coming months, following considerable trade discussions this offseason.

According to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, while there are no immediate developments, June 1 looms as a crucial date for possible transactions involving Ramsey. This date marks a significant delineation in the structuring of his contract; post-June 1, any remaining dead money can be distributed over the 2025 and 2026 seasons rather than impacting the current season's cap space. Consequently, trading Ramsey before this date would impose a hefty $12.6 million penalty on the Dolphins' 2025 cap space, while a transaction afterward could yield a savings of $5.9 million. With this pivotal date fast approaching, it is an opportune moment to evaluate which teams might pursue Ramsey and the rationale behind such decisions.

It is essential to clarify that the Dolphins' intent to part ways with Ramsey is not a reflection of his effectiveness as a player. The seven-time Pro Bowler had a notable season, starting all 17 games and allowing an opposing passer rating of just 83.2 in coverage. Miami's defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver addressed the situation, stating that the mutual decision for Ramsey to depart stems more from the dynamics of player-team relations than from any decline in performance. 'He played very good ball for us, but relationships are hard. Both sides have mutually chosen to go the other way,' Weaver explained.

Financial considerations also play a significant role in Ramsey's potential relocation. With a base salary of $1.3 million this season, Ramsey's earnings would escalate to $10 million in 2026 and 2027, eventually reaching $21.1 million by 2028. The Dolphins seem inclined to move forward without the 30-year-old cornerback, but that does not diminish Ramsey's value for a team that views itself as a contender in the near future. The Atlanta Falcons, for instance, are hoping to leverage the talents of second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as they aim for playoff success in 2025. With two first-round picks invested in defensive players—linebacker Jalon Walker and pass-rusher James Pearce Jr.—the Falcons' defensive needs are evident. Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine has identified cornerback as Atlanta's prominent post-draft requirement. Add to this the fact that Falcons head coach Raheem Morris previously coached Ramsey for two seasons while serving as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, and the fit becomes even more logical.

The Baltimore Ravens concluded the 2024 season ranked 31st in passing yards allowed, a statistic that requires some context. Baltimore's defense struggled early in the season under first-year coordinator Zach Orr but displayed improvement as the season progressed. The Ravens made a free-agent acquisition of Chidobe Awuzie and also utilized sixth-round draft selections on cornerbacks Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. Nevertheless, a calculated risk in pursuing Ramsey aligns with Baltimore's typical strategy. The Ravens have been striving to maintain pace with the elite AFC teams, such as the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, in the pursuit of a Super Bowl title, making depth at cornerback a critical area. General manager Eric DeCosta has a history of acquiring veteran players if he believes they can make impactful contributions, as seen in past acquisitions like Odell Beckham Jr., Derrick Henry, and DeAndre Hopkins.

Connections between coaching staff and players can further influence team decisions regarding acquisitions. Weaver's previous three-year tenure in Baltimore could facilitate Ramsey's transition should he move to the Ravens. If the defensive systems employed by Weaver and Orr possess similarities, it is plausible that Ramsey could adapt swiftly to a new environment. The Cincinnati Bengals, too, may be keen on acquiring Ramsey, not merely as a tactical move to prevent him from joining a division rival, but as a strategic enhancement to their defense. With Joe Burrow entrenched as their quarterback, Cincinnati's championship window remains open, but the team has only reached the postseason twice since Burrow's arrival in 2020. Both injuries and a lackluster defensive showing—culminating in a 25th ranking in both yards and points allowed—have hindered their playoff aspirations. A coaching change saw the dismissal of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, replaced by Notre Dame's Al Golden, indicating a desire for rejuvenated approaches to defense. Yet, a glaring omission from their offseason strategy has been the failure to bolster their cornerback unit, making Ramsey an attractive target if they seek to stabilize their defense ahead of the 2025 campaign.

The Los Angeles Rams' intentions regarding Ramsey are also noteworthy. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who recently celebrated his 37th birthday, is under contract for two additional seasons but may not extend beyond this year. General manager Les Snead has shifted gears from acquiring veteran stars in exchange for draft capital—a strategy that previously secured a Super Bowl victory—and has focused more on developing through the draft in recent years. However, the Rams have not entirely ruled out re-signing Ramsey, who was traded to Miami two seasons prior. Head coach Sean McVay reported positive ongoing communication with Ramsey, further indicating a potential reconciliation. '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,' McVay shared.

Reacquiring Ramsey would address a pressing need for the Rams, who ranked 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season, and they have yet to secure any cornerback signings or draft picks, establishing the position as their most obvious post-draft deficiency. A return of Ramsey to Los Angeles would not be surprising given the circumstances.

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might not immediately appear to be a front runner for Ramsey's services, their situation merits attention. Although Tampa added Kindle Vildor and drafted cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in the second and third rounds respectively, the Buccaneers ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season, raising concerns as they aim for deeper playoff runs. Despite winning the NFC South for four consecutive seasons, Tampa has not surpassed the divisional round since their Super Bowl success in 2020. In a competitive conference featuring quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jared Goff, and Stafford, bolstering their secondary with a formidable presence like Ramsey could be beneficial. Furthermore, while Ramsey is not currently positioned as a safety, he has previously expressed interest in exploring various roles, including safety, later in his career.

The Buccaneers have demonstrated an aptitude for talent acquisition through the draft over recent years and previously secured a Pro Bowl-level quarterback with Baker Mayfield. However, they are often overlooked in conversations about championship contenders alongside teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, and Rams. The addition of Ramsey could help elevate their status in such discussions.

Similarly, the Commanders have been proactive in strengthening their cornerback corps via free agency with Jonathan Jones, as well as through early draft selections like second-round pick Trey Amos. While they made a noteworthy trade to acquire Marshon Lattimore, injuries limited his impact last season, allowing for only five appearances, including the playoffs. The Commanders, viewing themselves as surprise contenders following the transformative leadership of new head coach Dan Quinn and the rise of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, could also stand to benefit from adding Ramsey to an already strengthened unit. Following an impressive turnaround that saw the team ascend from four wins the previous year to an NFC Championship Game appearance against their rival Eagles, maintaining momentum will be challenging. With elevated expectations and one of the toughest schedules in 2025, bolstering the defense with a proven veteran like Ramsey—who has garnered 24 career interceptions—could be vital for their success.