Steelers Now
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reveals the Pittsburgh Steelers have big expectations for new cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had to part ways with three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. But ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reveals the Steelers were willing to do that because they think Ramsey is even more of a special player.
In fact, Fowler reports Pittsburgh views Ramsey in a very similar light to that of Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson.
“This is a case-by-case situation where a player like Jalen Ramsey just happened to be available where they feel like he gives them more flexibility than what they had with Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Fowler said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “He can play slot cornerback. He can play safety, if you need him to do that. They see shades of Rod Woodson.”
Woodson was drafted by the Steelers in 1987 and spent the first 12 season of his NFL career as a cornerback. He then made the switch to safety in 1999 with the Baltimore Ravens, building upon his Hall of Fame resume.
Woodson finished his career as a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1993), six-time first-team All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XXXV champion. He had 708 tackles, 13.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, 71 interceptions, 169 passes defensed and 13 touchdowns in his NFL career.
Ramsey still has a ways to go to catch those numbers, but he has still 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 already entertained the idea of making a similar position switch later in his career, too.
“I wouldn’t have any problems moving to safety,” Ramsey said back in 2021.
That isn’t to say Ramsey is going to make the switch this season. Ramsey is heading into his 10th season and Woodson didn’t make the switch until his 13th season.
However, Pittsburgh does have a clear hole at safety after dealing away Fitzpatrick. So don’t be surprised if the team utilizes the versatile Ramsey in various roles in 2025, including outside cornerback, slot cornerback, and safety.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers ‘See Shades’ of Hall of Famer in New CB Jalen Ramsey
