On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins officially put cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the trade block, surprising many across the NFL. Most expected wide receiver Tyreek Hill to be the more likely trade candidate due to recent off-field issues, and trading away stars doesn’t align with where Miami is in its competitive window. Still, general manager Chris Grier confirmed the move publicly, signaling to contenders that a marquee player could be available even after the major wave of free-agent signings.
“These decisions take time and are never made lightly,” Grier said. “We’ve spent a lot of the offseason evaluating and discussing this. Jalen never requested a trade, but after multiple conversations—including talks last week with him and his agent—we felt this was the right step forward for both the Dolphins and for Jalen.”
That said, it’s unlikely Miami finds a trade partner anytime soon. And one team that almost certainly won’t be in the mix is the New York Giants. The biggest obstacle is financial—Ramsey is guaranteed over $24 million for the 2025 season, with a cap hit north of $16.5 million. Trading him before the draft would cost Miami around $8 million and only provide minimal savings. Meanwhile, the Giants currently have just $1.1 million in cap space—the lowest in the league—making any move for Ramsey practically impossible.
Beyond finances, the fit in New York just doesn’t make sense. Ramsey, now better suited for man coverage, doesn’t align well with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen’s zone-heavy scheme. And given that he’s nearing 31, acquiring him doesn’t quite match the Giants’ rebuild timeline. They’re more likely to seek affordable, younger talent at corner rather than trade for a veteran star. While New York does need help at the position, it’s far more probable they’ll face Ramsey on the field than have him on their roster.
“It’s tough to part ways with a player like Jalen,” Grier added. “He’s been great for us and will likely end up in the Hall of Fame. But for our future—both short- and long-term—we believe this move gives us the best shot at success.”