Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2016 first-round pick got positive grade in recent list

David Cadwell failed to consistently add talent to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster over his eight-year tenure as their general manager. Thus, it wasn’t surprising to see the organization move on from him last season. However, he had a few hits and one of them was cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who recently got a positive grade in a recent list.

Barry Werner of The List Wire recently graded all the first-round picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, and Ramsey, whom the Jaguars drafted fifth overall, got an ‘A’. In his evaluation, Werner points out that the Los Angeles Rams had to part ways with a hefty amount of draft picks to secure the cornerback and describes the Florida State product as ‘colorful, controversial, and elite’. However, he didn’t give him an A-plus because of his off-field antics.

Ramsey was a key cog in the Jaguars’ defensive during his three-plus-year stint. He played an important role in helping Jacksonville get to the AFC Championship in 2017 and earned two Pro Bowl selections and a First-Team All-Pro designation before his relationship with the team soured. In 2019, he asked to be traded after a sideline altercation with then-head coach Doug Marrone in Jaguars’ Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans.

That’s when the Rams called and offered their 2020 first-round selection, another first in 2021, and a 2021 fourth-round pick. The Jaguars accepted Ramsey’s trade request and the rest is history. In three-plus years in Jacksonville, Ramsey played in 51 games and registered 193 total tackles (28 for a loss), 45 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and nine interceptions.

How has Jalen Ramsey’s selection worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars?

You could argue that trading Ramsey was a bad decision in retrospect, as he went on to earn two Pro Bowl nods and his second First-Team All-Pro designation in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, the Jaguars didn’t give him away for free and are still reaping the fruits of the trade.

They used the first of the two first-round selections on defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson in 2020. Although the LSU product struggled early in the season, he finished the year on a high note and registered 21 pressures in the last eight games.

This year, the Jaguars will once again have an extra first-round selection. This time, it will be the 25th overall selection, which they could use to address different position groups. They also hold that fourth-round pick they got in the trade and although it’s not as impactful as the two first-rounders, it still gives them the chance to add depth.

Looking back, it would’ve been nice to see Ramsey continue his career in Jacksonville. However, the trade can’t be undone and the Jaguars got adequate compensation for him. It’s now up to the Jaguars to make the most out of it.