The Pittsburgh Steelers made a wild decision to trade star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and in return, they received Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The loss of Fitzpatrick certainly hurts, as he was a crucial part of the secondary, but the additions of Smith and Ramsey help strengthen both the offense and the defense. Many Steelers fans are excited about the move and eager to see what the two veterans can bring to Pittsburgh.
Ramsey is no longer the same player he was during his All-Pro peak, but even at 30 years old, he still has plenty left in the tank. He brings experience, toughness, and versatility to a Steelers secondary that is undergoing major changes. Ramsey’s ability to play outside corner, move inside, and contribute in run support makes him a valuable piece for Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin as the team adjusts to life without Fitzpatrick.
Steelers insider Chris Carter recently broke down Ramsey’s latest game film in his article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, offering fans important insight into what they can expect. Carter pointed out Ramsey’s football IQ, physicality, and playmaking ability, especially in key moments. While the trade may have shocked some, the early signs suggest that Ramsey is more than capable of making a big impact in the Steel City.
"Ramsey does a good job in press coverage, anticipating the moves of bigger receivers who like to bully cornerbacks off the ball," Carter said. "Some of the best work he does is denying receivers the opportunity to get open in the first place."
Ramsey has built his reputation in the NFL on his rare combination of speed and physicality. While both traits are still part of his game, Carter pointed out that Ramsey appears to have lost a step in terms of top-end speed. This isn’t a major surprise, as that kind of decline is typical for cornerbacks at 30 years old, but it is one area of concern Steelers fans might keep an eye on.
The drop in speed doesn’t mean Ramsey won’t be effective. His instincts, toughness, and versatility still make him a valuable asset in a defense that won’t ask him to play man coverage on every snap. Still, if there’s any slight worry surrounding his arrival in Pittsburgh, it’s whether he can consistently match up with faster, younger receivers on the outside.
"But the main issue in Ramsey’s coverage efforts is when he faces younger, faster receivers and doesn’t get his hands on them at the line of scrimmage to jam their routes," Carter said. "That’s not terrible execution by Ramsey, but that and other plays he’s allowed when facing young receivers shows he doesn’t have the same speed that allowed him to run a 4.41-second 40-yard dash in the 2016 NFL Combine."
The Steelers have Joey Porter Jr., who is expected to benefit greatly from having Ramsey in Pittsburgh. The young cornerback has already been promised mentorship by new Steelers cornerback Darius Slay, who said he’ll help Porter fix some critical flaws in his game. Working alongside both Ramsey and Slay should be extremely valuable for Porter’s development in the long term.
Steelers Have A Strong Cornerback Trio For 2025
The initial plan appears to be that Slay and Porter will handle the outside coverage responsibilities, while Ramsey locks down the nickelback role. That’s a strong cornerback trio, and even though Slay is 34 years old, many believe he still has plenty of solid football left to contribute to a productive 2025 season and help elevate this Steelers secondary.
Ramsey was ranked the 16th overall cornerback in the NFL for 2024 by Pro Football Focus, earning a strong grade of 76.9. Some have even floated the idea that Ramsey could shift into a safety role if needed, where his instincts and physicality could allow him to thrive. It will be interesting to see how this secondary comes together, but with these additions, it should be much improved heading into the 2025 season.
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