This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers executed a flurry of transactions to help the team pursue a championship. While the acquisition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets most of the attention, another historic talent is garnering some buzz as of late.
In a story for The Athletic, analyst Ted Nguyen made a list of the NFL’s 10 most versatile players. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey made the cut, which is another testament to Pittsburgh’s strong offseason process.
Analyst Says Jalen Ramsey ‘Could Be the Best’ DB on Steelers
Although Nguyen did concede that Ramsey does occasionally show his age on the boundary “against some of the league’s shiftier route runners,” that didn’t keep him off the list. Because of Ramsey’s ability to thrive in just about any role in the secondary, he provides rare value.
“He could play some free safety, where he could shine due to his football IQ and physicality,” Nguyen wrote. “There’s a chance Ramsey could be the best player for the Steelers’ secondary, regardless of what position he plays. At outside corner, he’s better than Darius Slay at his point. Joey Porter Jr. could take the next step, but right now, Ramsey is better than him. He’s by far their best nickel, and though the Steelers have experienced starters at safety, Ramsey could theoretically be a star at the position if he makes the transition.”
A timely example was an interception Ramsey recently recorded at Steelers training camp. It occurred on a rep where the All-Pro cornerback was covering tight end Jonnu Smith. Head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t one bit surprised by the play being made.
“You know, we feel like he can cover anyone, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “He’s a utility back – by that I mean he’s versatile. He plays outside, he plays nickel, he plays safety, and that’s just a reflection of it. Very versatile and smart, detailed veteran.”
Ramsey may not be at his true peak anymore, but he’s still viewed as one of the NFL’s best defensive backs. In recent years, his positional versatility has been put to the test. Last season, for example, he logged 728 snaps as a boundary corner for the Miami Dolphins but also had 185 snaps in the slot, 80 in the box and 33 along the edge of the defensive line. Ramsey logged more traditional free safety looks early in his career, but that remains a possibility as well (like Nguyen noted).
New-Look Pittsburgh Secondary Looking to Improve in 2025
The Steelers’ defense was undoubtedly great last season, but the cornerback spot wasn’t. Getting Porter some help was clearly a priority this offseason. Pittsburgh did just that by getting not only Ramsey, but also Slay to insulate the room. Investing at corner is a tremendous way to raise the floor and ceiling of the defense.
Of course, all transactions come at an expense. For the Steelers, trading for Ramsey (and Smith) saw safety Minkah Fitzpatrick go to Miami. Losing a three-time All-Pro is nothing to scoff at, so the other moves must pan out in order to justify that departure.
At safety, it remains possible that Ramsey alleviates some pressure. The most likely scenario, though, is a pair of other players filling the void left by Fitzpatrick. DeShon Elliott is looking to build on a strong debut campaign in Pittsburgh, whereas Juan Thornhill is aiming to make an impact on his third NFL team. The Steelers’ recent signing of former Baltimore Ravens defensive back Chuck Clark adds depth to the group.
In a loaded secondary, Ramsey stands out as the premier piece. With his 31st birthday arriving in October, the bar is set high for him to prove Nguyen’s breakdown right.
