It didn't take long for fans to figure out the Pittsburgh Steelers' plan for defensive back Jalen Ramsey. When the Steelers made the surprise blockbuster trade for the former All-Pro cornerback, many wanted to know Mike Tomlin's intentions with Ramsey, as the Steelers have Joey Porter Jr. and signed veteran Darius Slay to a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason.
After just one Steelers training camp practice, the answers are starting to unfold in front of us. Alex Kozara posted on X that Ramsey took first-team reps at slot cornerback, then moved to safety when the Steelers were in their 3-4 defense.
Videos circulating around X after the Steelers' first practice seem to confirm Ramsey's defensive alignment. Veteran wide receiver Robert Woods recently gave Ramsey an endorsement at safety ahead of Steelers camp.
When Ramsey arrived at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe for Steelers training camp on Wednesday. He was swarmed by media members, asking him what his role would be. Ramsey admitted that he had conversations about his expected role in the secondary, but wouldn't expand, instead telling the media that they'll find out together.
Just one day later, it appears we already know what the plan for the veteran defensive back will be. And it's... interesting.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be making a mistake with Jalen Ramsey at training camp
Though it's early in Steelers training camp, Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin have already shown their hand for what fans can expect from Jalen Ramsey this year. Though his role is subject to change, this was likely the plan all along after the team sent Minkah Fitzpatrick packing.
I'm thrilled to see Ramsey line up as a slot cornerback when the Steelers are in nickel. Ramsey has experience in this role, and his coverage chops and tackling ability make him an ideal nickel CB at this stage of his career.
However, I wasn't so pleased to see Ramsey taking snaps at safety.
Though Ramsey's presence would offer an upgrade at free safety over projected starter Juan Thornhill, his talents are better used as a cornerback. And quite frankly, cornerbacks are simply more valuable than safeties in today's NFL.
In this modern era, most passes are a three-step drop, and the ball comes out. This means that the vast majority of plays are happening from 5-15 yards from the line of scrimmage. Though there's still value to a free safety that can roam and make plays deep down the field, cornerbacks hold more value with the quick passing game today.
For this reason, I would have liked to see Ramsey in a slightly different role. Instead of lining up at free safety next to DeShon Elliott as a last line of defense, I want to see Ramsey closer to the action. If the choice were up to me, I would make Ramsey a starting boundary cornerback when Pittsburgh is in its base defense, then have him move to slot CB when the Steelers are in nickel or dime sub-packages.
This lineup admittedly creates two problems. It means that Thornhill is forced to be a full-time safety, and veteran CB Darius Slay is forced off the field on base packages. However, Slay is 34 years old, and a break from time to time could do him some good.
There's still plenty of time at Steelers training camp for Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin to change their minds when it comes to the game plan for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Wherever he plays this year, let's hope he's in a position to make a significant impact.