On Sunday, Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey heaped quite the praise on Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. And while it just seemed to be a simple case of one player giving props to a former coach of his, the show of respect turned into something a tad bigger to some Panthers fans.
With Ramsey likely on the outs in Miami and Carolina still needing to fortify their secondary, could the Panthers look into swinging a surprising trade for the seven-time Pro Bowler? Possibly.
Heck, he isn’t the only cornerback who might be available right now.
Here, headed by Ramsey, are four corners Carolina could potentially strike a deal for . . .
Jalen Ramsey (Miami Dolphins)
Two of Ramsey’s three first-team All-Pro selections came when he shared a sideline in Los Angeles with Evero—who served as the Rams‘ safeties coach, secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator from 2017 to 2021. So, yeah, there’s a proven track record of success between the two.
Evero, in what sparked Ramsey’s tribute from this weekend, credited the 30-year-old as one of the most intelligent and scheme-versatile defenders he’s ever coached. That combination would be invaluable to a
Carolina defense that is trying to find its identity after allowing the most points ever in a single season.
The holdup, as it could be in any trade for Ramsey, may be the $25.1 million guarantee he’s due in 2025. But if the Panthers can work the numbers down with the Dolphins, perhaps the money they saved by releasing outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney might go a long way in taking on such a hit.
Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers)
Alexander, like Ramsey, is a certified stud whose contract would require a bit of tinkering to accommodate. The 28-year-old is locked in for 2025 and 2026 at an average cap hit of approximately $25.8 million.
That is a pretty expensive price tag for the Panthers, who just dumped a bunch of money into the position this offseason by extending Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn and re-signing Mike Jackson. A move for Alexander, however, would give Horn a much more formidable running mate and—assuming Jackson gets knocked down a spot—provide the defense with some much-needed depth at cornerback.
Greg Newsome II (Cleveland Browns)
The Panthers may very well be fine with Jackson as the No. 2 to Horn on the outside. And even if that’s the case, they still have to sort out who will be manning the inside spot.
Newsome, who has played mostly as a slot corner over the last three seasons, may present an answer. As of now, Carolina’s leading candidates for the job are 2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade, Las Vegas Raiders castoff MJ Devonshire and undrafted free agent Jack Henderson.
Amik Robertson (Detroit Lions)
Robertson could also appeal as an option at the nickel spot. The sixth-year veteran, who is expected to be ready for Week 1 after breaking his arm in the playoffs, is entering the final season of his contract and could face some competition from 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr.