The Pittsburgh Steelers have been at the center of trade rumors over the past month, and these could only prove to heat up further as we enter a four-week stretch before NFL training camps begin. One player the Steelers were rumored to be interested in trading for is Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey... and this speculation isn't dying down yet.
Pittsburgh Steelers beat reporter and correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, Mark Kaboly, joined 93.7 The Fan and was asked about whether the Steelers have an interest in trading for Ramsey.
"I bet you they're listening," Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan's Morning Show. "I mean, the salary is not bad, it's a one-year deal, really, right? Because I think he has no guarantees past this year. Now people say, 'Where do you put him?' I don't care.
The cap implications of taking on Ramsey's contract are more serious than Kaboly let on, and that could be part of the reason for a hold-up in a potential trade. But it's not hard to believe that the Steelers would be interested in adding the Pro Bowl cornerback to their roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could trade for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey
Recently, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter joined The Pat McAfee Show, where he confidently stated that he expects Jalen Ramsey to be traded before training camp. Ramsey has been at the center of trade discussions since early in the offseason, and the Miami Dolphins are projected to be over $10 million in the salary cap hole by next offseason.
But why would the Pittsburgh Steelers want to trade for Ramsey?
The answer is relatively simple: to add a perennial Pro Bowler to their roster. After signing Darius Slay in free agency, the Steelers don't have a dire need for a boundary cornerback, but Ramsey is versatile enough to play just about anywhere in the secondary. Last season, he performed well from the slot and once again proved to be one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the league.
Adding Ramsey would presumably give Pittsburgh a rock-solid secondary and terrific depth if Slay or Joey Porter Jr. were to go down with an injury at some point during the season. Outside of Cory Trice Jr.—who can't seem to stay on the field—the Steelers have razor-thin depth at the cornerback position. And in a do-or-die season with a 41-year-old quarterback, the Steelers can't afford to leave anything to chance.
Because Pittsburgh would be forced to take on Ramsey's remaining contract, the Steelers may be able to land the 2016 first-round pick at the cost of a fourth-round draft pick. Pittsburgh is expected to have a surplus of compensatory picks in 2026, so this could be well worth the investment.
With the Ramsey trade buzz still hot, it looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't out of the running just yet.