There’s something Lions fans need to know about a potential Jalen Ramsey trade — and it doesn’t kill the idea
Ramsey has barely played outside corner in Pittsburgh, but his new role, manageable trade cost and flexible contract could still make him a very intriguing addition to Detroit’s secondary.
The Detroit Lions need a cornerback, and everyone knows it. Now a national insider has floated two trade targets for the Lions, and one of them is a big name: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano write a weekly Buzz column about what they’re hearing around the league. In the latest edition, Fowler said he expects the Lions to make a trade at some point. He also floated two options for Detroit.
The first is Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kristian Fulton. I like that one. He’s a little younger, he’d be good value, and he could start for Detroit right away. No doubt about it.
The second is the one that will grab everyone’s attention. That’s Ramsey, the former All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Fowler wasn’t reporting that Ramsey is available or that the Lions have talked to Pittsburgh about him. He was simply floating him as a possible option for Detroit.
Ramsey isn’t really a cornerback anymore
Here’s the thing. What the Lions need more than anything is a corner. Ramsey hasn’t been a full-time outside corner since 2024, when he was with the Miami Dolphins.
In Pittsburgh, he has played some corner. But most of his work has come in the slot. He’s also played a lot of free safety and spent time in the box. We don’t actually know if Ramsey can still play outside corner at this point.
Look at his snaps this season. Ramsey has lined up at outside corner for just three snaps. He’s played 104 snaps in the slot.
He’s still playing well. Pro Football Focus gives him a 68.6 overall grade, a 65.0 run defense grade, a 65.2 tackling grade, and a 69.6 coverage grade. He’s an upgrade for the Lions for sure.
A safety duo of Brian Branch and Ramsey would be fun, and it could help. It just doesn’t solve the man-to-man problem Detroit has at cornerback. Honestly, if I were the Lions, I’d try to get both of these guys at the same time. Fulton plays corner. Ramsey plays safety.
How Ramsey’s contract works for Detroit
This is where the Ramsey idea starts to make a lot of sense. If the Lions traded for him now, they wouldn’t take on all the money attached to his deal. Pittsburgh would be responsible for the bonus money that has already been paid and prorated onto the cap.
Detroit would take on the remaining portion of Ramsey’s 2026 salary. After that, the Lions would have the option to keep him under contract for 2027 and 2028.
That means the Lions could treat Ramsey as a rental. Bring him in, use his versatility at safety, nickel, and corner, and see if he helps stabilize the defense for a stretch run. Then reassess everything once the season is over.
This doesn’t have to be a big multi-year commitment just because years remain on the deal. If the Lions decide Ramsey isn’t worth the roughly $21.7 million he’s scheduled to make in 2027, they can get out. As long as Detroit doesn’t restructure his contract and push new bonus money into future years, the Lions could release him before his 2027 money kicks in. They’d walk away without being buried in dead cap.
What would the Lions have to give up?
I’m thinking something like a fifth-round pick.
I get it. You might think that’s insane. Ramsey has been traded three times, and the return has gotten smaller each time.
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams for two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder. The Rams later traded him to Miami for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. Then Miami traded Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh in the deal that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins and also included a pick swap.
But Ramsey turns 32 at the end of October. The way the Steelers are using him, moving him to safety, tells you he can’t play cornerback anymore. At least not the way he used to.
He’s still a good Jalen Ramsey. He’s just not the Jalen Ramsey the Los Angeles Rams traded for to go win a Super Bowl. He’s not the one the Dolphins traded for in an attempt to win one, either. Right now, he’s a competent, very good veteran defensive back.
So Detroit isn’t giving up a Day 2 pick. You could argue Pittsburgh would want a fourth-rounder, and that’s possible. I don’t see that as a dealbreaker. But a fifth is more than fair because the Lions take on all the money and all the risk. The Steelers get to clear a lot of money they don’t want on their books anymore.
It’s a good deal for the Lions. It makes sense.
That being said, I think this team is more likely to want a true cornerback. Chuck Clark and Christian Izien have played well at safety. The Lions also just announced that Brian Branch’s 21-day practice window is open, meaning he’s now moving closer to a return.
I don’t know if the Lions need another safety, but Ramsey could certainly help in the slot. They definitely need that.
If I were Detroit, I’d do both deals. The Ramsey one is the most doable, though. This is one to keep an eye on. Let’s see where it goes.
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