Steelers Now
In acquiring Jalen Ramsey on Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers seemingly created a hole in the back half. Three-time first-team Associated Press All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is headed back to the Miami Dolphins. Mike Tomlin’s team already has Joey Porter Jr. and veteran Darius Slay at cornerback.
Some are wondering if it would make sense for Ramsey to move to safety. Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson moved back for the final five seasons of his career, in Baltimore and Oakland. Woodson believes Ramsey has the approach required to do the same.
“I think, mindset, he is capable of doing it,” Woodson said last month on “Up & Adams.” “He does have that physicality. He does like to tackle. I think if he’s willing to put his body through those rigors. … I think if he’s willing to take some of that punishment in the core — because you have to be a willing tackler as a safety — I think he can do it because he tackles as a corner. He has that mindset.”
The Steelers currently roster four safeties, including DeShon Elliott, free agency pickup Juan Thornill, special teams ace Miles Killebrew and undrafted rookie Sebastian Castro.
Ramsey has 534 combined tackles during his nine seasons in the NFL. He had 60 last season in Miami.
“Obviously, he can cover tight ends and all that stuff, but just being that willing tackler in the core, if you gotta fill the ‘B’ gap. If you gotta come up on the edge on the ‘C’ gap like you normally do as a corner if you’re gonna set the edge,” Woodson said. “Nowadays, I just don’t know if guys would wanna sustain their careers because they make so much money. Now, I’m not saying that’s Ramsey, I’m not saying that’s his mindset.
“I’m just saying, ‘Do they wanna keep playing even though they have $100 million in the bank?’”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Legend Talks Possible Jalen Ramsey Position Change
