Jacksonville Jaguars should be able to manage if Jalen Ramsey misses time
By Daniel Lago
While it seemed like the sky was falling when news first broke about Jalen Ramsey’s knee injury, the Jaguars should be able to make do if the first round pick has to miss time.
We all had the same thought when we first saw the tweet announcing Jalen Ramsey’s torn meniscus – “Oh no, not again.”
In a vacuum, Ramsey’s knee injury isn’t the most catastrophic thing that could’ve happened during the offseason, but the context of it for Jacksonville Jaguars fans is what really makes it sting. Last year, the Jaguars chose Dante Fowler Jr. with the 3rd overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft with the expectation he would become the number 1 pass rusher on the defense immediately. All that came crashing down when Fowler crumpled to a heap in the first rookie minicamp practice. A torn ACL barely an hour into his first practice with the team ended his rookie season.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
Fortunately, the situation is significantly difference with Ramsey. Yes, it is a knee injury and we don’t know the extent of the meniscus tear yet, but the Jaguars are in a much better position to handle the rookie missing time.
Gordon McGuinness over at Pro Football Focus agrees
:
"Expected to start at outside cornerback, the injury wouldn’t impact Davon House, who is currently slated to start opposite him, but it would mean that Prince Amukamara or Aaron Colvin would have to step up. Colvin played 1,100 snaps for the Jaguars last season, allowing an average of 1.09 yards per coverage snap, tied for 27th-best in that regard among all cornerbacks. Amukamara allowed 1.04, tied for 15th. Both are solid cornerbacks, ranking 44th and 32nd in overall grade among their positional peers, respectively, so while they might not be the impact player that the Jaguars expect Ramsey to be, Jacksonville doesn’t need to rush out and sign a replacement, even if Ramsey’s injury turns out to be more serious."
Last year, the Jaguars had to rely on the discouraging duo of Chris Clemons and Andre Branch to provide a pass rush after Fowler’s injury. The team has much better depth at cornerback, specifically with the addition of Prince Amukamara. It’s a little more challenging thanks to Aaron Colvin’s suspension, but the Jaguars should be able to get by for a while if Ramsey isn’t full-go week 1.
With Ramsey getting a second opinion, let’s hope all this discussion is moot anyway and Ramsey is ready to suit up in time for the preseason.