In ESPN's annual survey that includes voting from league executives, coaches and scouts to help rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey ranked just outside the top 10. Many believe the 30-year-old CB is in 'physical decline'.
"Pittsburgh is expected to use Ramsey all over, with slot corner or safety functionality on the inside, similar to Rod Woodson's transition into Pittsburgh's defense over 25 years ago," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote .
"Some coaches still see a shutdown corner on the outside, but many evaluators don't share that sentiment. 'Still a good starter, but is in physical decline,'" an AFC executive said.
"You could make the argument he's still top 10, but he's just outside of it for me,' added another AFC evaluator. 'In my opinion, he's better in the nickel or with specialty roles at this stage.'"
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 20: Miami Dolphins Corner Back Jalen Ramsey (5) defends during the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts on October 20, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)
In a recent interview with Kyle Odegard of Gambling Industry News , former NFL defensive back Antrel Rolle gave his perspective on Ramsey potentially moving to safety this season. Rolle made three Pro Bowls after switching from cornerback to safety in the NFL.
"Jalen is a unique talent. I've always felt like he could be your Swiss army knife type of guy. You can play him in the slot, you can play him at corner, play him at safety, in dime. And he's aggressive enough that he can get all those jobs done extremely well," Rolle said. "He reminds me of Charles Woodson , with the body stature, the coverage ability, and they're not afraid to go in there and get their hands dirty. Most importantly, he has that competitive dog in him."
Rolle said an high IQ is needed to play safety. He also dropped some advice for Ramsey on playing on the back-end of the defense.
"Corner is a different type of dog, safety is a different type of dog. To be a hybrid player, it takes a different mental capacity, as far as understanding the playbook, understanding what the front is doing, what the linebackers are doing, et cetera," he explained. That's the part people don't understand – when you move from that island to the box, or back at safety, you have to be aware of what everyone on that defense is doing.
"The first piece of advice is to always work the craft that you had before. Still work on that corner craft, because it's going to make you that much better as a player, that much more versatile. When I made the transition to safety, yeah, I grew a different mentality, but in my heart I stayed a corner. If I stayed a corner, when I was lined up on the Wes Welkers, the Calvin Johnsons, my mentality never switched. I was just a more physical corner now."
Ramsey has proven to be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the last decade as a three-time first-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl LVI champion.
The 30-year-old has also already entertained the idea of making a switch to safety later in his career, too.
"I wouldn't have any problems moving to safety," Ramsey said back in 2021 .
If a position change occurs, Ramsey will have to be ready to be more involved defensively at safety.
"Now you have to know, if that three-technique is stunting to the 'B' or the 'A' gap, this hole may open up. If they pull, you've got to cancel out a gap. That's a totally different vocabulary than what we learned out there on the island," Rolle said. "It's very basic. There's not too much you need to know out there on an island. But once you come into that core, you have to know what you're doing."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : NFL Execs Believe Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey is Washed: 'Is in Physical Decline'
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