Watching the Pittsburgh Steelers take Jalen Ramsey off the market should sting the Baltimore Ravens, and not just because the All-Pro cornerback makes their fiercest rivals a bigger threat in the AFC North.
Like the rest of the NFL, the Ravens have to have been left stunned by the Steelers sealing a three-player trade with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, June 30. The deal sent Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh, in exchange for do-all safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This exchange of talent makes the Ravens and the rest of the division losers, according to Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports. He believes adding Ramsey alongside four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers “may not entirely tip the scales away from teams like the Baltimore Ravens (the betting favorite to win the AFC North) or Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh is no longer a sure-fire win like they were when it was projected that Mason Rudolph could be their starter. On top of the division race heating up, Pittsburgh adding Ramsey and Smith could further put a dent in the overall playoff hopes of Baltimore and Cincinnati, and hurt the chances of any of them rivaling for the No. 1 seed in the conference.”
Ramsey has made the Steelers better, but he’s not the only reason for the Ravens to be concerned about Pittsburgh’s already stout defense. Meanwhile, Smith will present problems for Baltimore’s D’ in tandem with Rodgers, but the Ravens may still believe they’ve come out ahead on this deal for one particular reason.
Ravens Won’t Have to See Minkah Fitzpatrick as Often
Facing Fizpatrick at least twice a season was tough sledding for the Ravens since he’s a three-time first-team All-Pro. The 28-year-old was somebody Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson had to account for on every play, something even the former two-time league MVP couldn’t always get right.
Jackson lost sight of Fitzpatrick when he threw this red-zone interception in Week 16. It was one of three picks Fitzpatrick snatched against the Ravens in a Steelers uniform, according to StatMuse.
Potentially not having to deal with Fitzpatrick beyond Week 9’s contest in Miami on Thursday, October 30 is an unexpected bonus for the Ravens. Yet, that doesn’t mean this trade won’t be a problem for them in other ways.
Jalen Ramsey Move A What If? Moment for Ravens
The Ravens had been linked with trading for Ramsey before they solved their need for a marquee corner by signing Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander. He offers award-winning potential as a press-man specialist, but the Ravens might still cast a glance toward Ramsey and the Steelers and wonder what if?
It would be a reasonable question to ask since Ramsey is still one of the premier players at his position in all of football. The 30-year-old’s instincts playing zone are almost without equal, but Ramsey’s true value comes from his versatility.
As Hayden Winks of the Underdog Fantasy Football podcast put it, Ramsey “is like the moveable chess piece here.” Winks anticipates the seven-time Pro Bowler Ramsey being “the Steelers’ nickel corner when they have three corners out on the field, and I think he’ll probably play some snaps at safety.”
That’s a smart prediction based on the many spots Ramsey played for the Dolphins in 2024, per Pro Football Focus (h/t Underdog NFL).
The Ravens would surely have appreciated this level of flexibility in their own position-less schemes. Where defensive backs are required to adopt different roles during games.
What the Ravens likely won’t appreciate as much is seeing the Steelers put Ramsey, fellow All-Pro corner Darius Slay and promising third-year player Joey Porter Jr. onto the field at the same time.
It’s a trio good enough to take away a burgeoning wide receiver corps expected to be a team strength for the Ravens this season. The Steelers just made things a lot tougher on Jackson and outside targets like decorated veteran DeAndre Hopkins.
Ramsey’s arrival means the Steelers won’t be weakened considerably by Fitzpatrick going the other way. Meanwhile, Smith’s presence as a roving playmaker for Rodgers should focus Baltimore’s defense and its leader to be locked in for both games against the biggest threat to division supremacy.
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