The National Media Continues to exhibit low resolution conclusions: Jalen Ramsey is the best DB in football.

I have been well aware of the greatness of Ramsey from the moment he was tormenting UM football with his ridiculous athleticism and tenacity. I would see him play, and much like Sean Taylor (R.I.P #26), he struck fear in my heart. A generational talent that was well deserving of his draft pedigree and has performed in his 7 year career worthy of a first ballot hall of famer. Six pro bowls, 3 all pro selections, and the physical phenom has only missed TWO games in his sensational career. That is what I generally knew, but to be honest I have not followed his career in detail and never really evaluated his tape. Now he is a Miami Dolphin and I went deep dive, and I was floored!

I would like to first respond to the one statistic that national media uses to suggest a decline in his game. Yes it is true that in 2022 Ramsey allowed a career high passer rating against of 98.6. However, according to PFF he also scored his second highest defensive rating of 86.4, ranking him 3rd amongst all corners. I don't always agree with PFF, but they are a valuable metric considering they catalogue snap count by position and alignment. If you unpack his performance by Y/C, Y/AC, Comp%, Turnovers, REC, REC%, his numbers haven't slipped one bit. In fact, he had career highs in total tackles, STOPS (not allowing a first down), Sacks, Hurries, and tied his career high in Ints. The one stat that ballooned the QB rating against, that simple minded pundits used as proof of his decline, is TD's allowed (7) which is more than double than any other year of his career.

HOW A PLAYER IS USED IS NEVER CONSIDERED

So what happened? All of his other metrics would suggest he is still the durable elite athlete he has always been. His positional snap count unveils the truth. Let's compare Ramsey's highest rated season (2017) against his second highest rated season (2022) as far as snap counts by position. 

DL Snaps        2017 - 1 snap       2022 - 22 snaps

In the BOX     2017 - 57 snaps    2022 - 112

Slot                  2017 - 62 snaps   2022 - 213 snaps

Jalen Ramsey was asked to work on the line of scrimmage by far the most snaps in his career. His slot corner snaps by themselves can easily account for the TD's allowed considering the short yardage nature of goal line offense, and the overall high percentage short throws during that situation. In short, Ramsey was placed in a position where he would naturally allow more TD's statistically, Ramsey was asked to play aggressively down hill because the Rams defensive line last year with the career low snap totals of Donald and the bunch of nobodies they had on the front four required his unique physicality towards the center and the gaps. 

RAMSEY WAS A FORCE IN 2022.

The Rams asked allot of Ramsey last year, and he did not disappoint; he was spectacular in his understanding, physicality, and versatility. It is rare to task a player to reinvent his responsibility for the need of the team and come away with a greater understanding of the unique greatness of an already GREAT player. Ramsey did not lose a step, he discovered another dimension to his talent, a devastating athlete with a versatility that may be unprecedented. Ramsey's inline recognition, decisiveness to attack the proper gap, willingness to drive through bigger players and explosiveness towards the flat, was a breathtaking exhibition; it confounds me that it wasn't noticed. 

Last year when the Dolphins traded for Hill, I expressed to my cousin how incredibly special Hill's talent is, I was in disbelief that we acquired what I still maintain is the most gravitational talent on offense. This year when they traded for Ramsey I was tempered in my happiness, however, upon further evaluation, I can confidently express that I believe Ramsey is the best, most versatile DB in Football: and I don't think it is particular close.

THE DOLPHINS HAVE TRADED FOR TWO FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER IN CONSECUTIVE YEARS. 

             

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