Jalen Ramsey remains a member of the Dolphins at this point, but a parting of ways can be expected given where things stand between team and player. To no surprise, the Rams loom as a possible destination. 
Ramsey began his tenure in Los Angeles midway through the 2019 campaign and he remained with the team for another three full seasons. The Rams’ efforts to move on from several notable contract resulted in a trade agreement with the Dolphins, a team which made him the league’s highest-paid corner (at the time) just last offseason. As a result, finding a suitable trade agreement for all parties could be challenging.
Before and after the draft, the Rams were mentioned as an interested suitor for Ramsey. The 30-year-old exceled during his time with the team, collecting a Pro Bowl nod for each of the four seasons he was in Los Angeles along with a pair of first-team All-Pro honors. In his latest comments on the matter, head coach Sean McVay confirmed talks regarding a Ramsey trade are still taking place.
“Those conversations are ongoing as I’m sure they are with multiple teams,” McVay said during an appearance on Mad Dog Radio with Adam Schein. “And we’ll see, but we’re never gonna shy away from opportunities to increase the competitiveness of our roster or add great players as long as it fits within the framework of everything that an acquisition like that would entail.”
Four years remain on Ramsey’s contract, including major guarantees for the 2025 season. The Dolphins could wind up retaining money to facilitate a trade as a result, given the small number of teams with the cap space to absorb his pact. The Florida State product could also agree to a restructured pact with an acquiring team as part of a trade deal, particularly if his destination were to be one of interest to him.
Ramsey has permission to find a trade partner, and McVay’s comments certainly suggest the Rams are still in the running to work out a deal. Los Angeles’ CB depth chart includes the likes of Cobie Durant, Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon and former Commanders first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes. The team did not add any draft picks at the position, but reacquiring Ramsey would certainly alter the dynamic of Los Angles’ secondary.
Trading Ramsey before June 1 would leave the Dolphins with a dead money charge of over $25MM, while doing so after that date would generate $6.75MM in dead money while yielding $9.92MM in cap space. A final resolution to this situation will therefore likely need to wait one more month, and it will be interesting to see if the Rams pursue any other cornerback deals in the meantime.
I get the advantages in cap space waiting until June 1st but why doesn’t that seem to happen more often. From my recollection these deals are usually done before the draft to receive compensation in the current years draft. Is there something special about Ramsey deal that they felt it better to wait vs what I’m used to seeing in players moved pre draft
Here are the actual meanings it boils down to there being a bigger hit to your Dead Cap if a trade happens before 6/1.
What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade?
When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year.
What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade?
When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
If you’re willing to take Ramsey back, then you probably deserve what happens next