One of the most significant needs for the Cowboys this off-season is cornerback. NFL Network reported the Rams had had trade talks regarding Jalen Ramsey, with the idea he could be dealt with within a few weeks.
Now let me be clear: nothing has been said about the Cowboys being in contact, and I am just throwing out my ideas.
This will be challenging if Dallas tries to strike a deal. A trade for Ramsey would have to be perfect. On his contract, he has a cap hit of $25.2 million, $26.7 million, and 22.7 million over the last three years.
With Dallas nearly $8 million over the cap, a number of restructures and extensions to lower the number would need to occur to get to even. Then some additional work would be necessary to afford Ramsey and other key players they have yet to sign.
With that said, a bonus I did find is that the Cowboys would be getting him for a base salary of $17 million in 2023 while having the option to cut him after the season with no dead cap on their end, but work would be needed to get that done.
Many still think he is the best cornerback in all of football. Trading for him would solve a huge problem the Cowboys have going into this off-season. This would put two stars on each side of the secondary.
That brings me to my next question. If this were to happen somehow, what do the Cowboys have to give up to land him? He will only go somewhere with getting a first-round pick. (My guess).
So, Dallas will at least give up their 24th overall pick in this year’s draft, a second-round pick this year. Then a future pick with some stipulation saying Ramsey has to play a certain number of snaps or be a part of the team when 2024 starts.
The Cowboys want to win NOW. Why waste any time trying to do that? If Jerry or Stephen Jones mean what they say, at least reach out to the Rams and see what they are asking.
Ramsey started all 17 games for the Rams in 2022, finishing with four interceptions.
Could you imagine Ramsey on one side and Diggs on the other? They already have one of the best pass rushes in all of football. This defense would be taken to another level with Jalen.
I know this won’t happen, but I don’t understand why. If the team can avoid paying him anything the following year, how can anyone say it isn’t worth a try? It is worth the gamble if you ask me, find a way to make the money situation work because it can be done.
I do find it funny that the Cowboys are now having problems with their cap space because they selected Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft instead of Ramsey. One is still playing at a high level, while the other is decent but far from the price tag.
Back in 2018, Ramsey did say he would never play for the Joneses after they passed on him. If Dallas traded for him, he would have to quit football. I don’t believe him.
The answers Stephen gave the media on Tuesday left me with no hope about this. He’s talking cheaply and saying he loves all the guys on the team now. That wasn’t good enough last year, so let’s try it again! What a joke.
The Cowboys are going to struggle in the secondary again next season. Whatever side Diggs isn’t playing on, teams will attack. We saw how bad it was at the end of last season. It’ll happen again.
The answer is yes, make an offer, Jones family.