Jalen Ramsey, CB
Clearly, the top player in the discussion when it comes to possible trades across the entire league is Jalen Ramsey. He’s a top-five level talent and will certainly want to be paid like one. And the Jaguars appear to require a King’s ransom-type offer if they are going to part ways with him.
For Detroit, a player like Ramsey fills a major need. The team’s best defender, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, was willing to sit out OTAs and minicamp practices this offseason in an attempt to get a new deal in Detroit. That’s despite the fact the soon-to-be 29-year old is scheduled to make more than $22 million total between now and the end of 2020.
If the Lions intend to move on from Slay this summer, replacing him with the much-younger 24-year old Ramsey would be a huge win for this front office. Although the cost would likely be a first-round selection and more.
Beyond Slay, the Lions have corner Rashaan Melvin signed to a one-year deal. Justin Coleman appears to be a solid addition in free agency that should secure the slot corner position for several seasons to come.
As for the trading away of valuable draft picks, trusting the Lions to find a rookie who is capable of being an instant starter at cornerback isn’t something this current regime in Detroit has been able to do. (See: Teez Tabor)
Ramsey is a known commodity that would upgrade the position the moment he steps on the field for the Pride. But are the Lions willing to absorb the major costs of losing high draft capital plus signing him to one of the biggest contracts in NFL history?