Jalen Ramsey, FS Florida State: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report
It is rare that in College Football we see a player dominate two positions during his four-year tenure at a university. Jalen Ramsey is a two-time All-American, who in 2014 dominated the ACC as a safety and this year earned another All-American nod after moving to cornerback for the 2015 season. Ramsey was also the first freshman cornerback since Deion Sanders to start every game for FSU, there is nothing that this guy has not been able to accomplish at the collegiate level.
Ramsey is a 6’1 202 lbs defensive back who best projects as a safety at the next level. Ramsey moved to safety his sophomore year and was arguably one of the most dominating players in College Football during that time. His move back to cornerback was an odd one but it paid off as Ramsey was one of the premier lockdown cornerbacks in the whole country. A big topic of discussion during the draft season will be what position will a team draft Jalen Ramsey as.
While I personally think he can succeed playing both cornerback and safety, he needs to be drafted as a safety. When you put together your ideal safety prospect most likely Jalen Ramsey fits that mold.
Strengths
+Ramsey is an all-world athlete, let’s talk about his athletic accomplishments outside of football first. Ramsey won the All-ACC long jump title at the indoor and outdoor championships. He is a All-American long jumper who one day hopes to compete in the Olympics. Now back to football, Ramsey is an uber athletic defensive back who glides in the open field and is able to match up athletically with anyone in the country. He should blow up the athletic testing portion of the combine and run somewhere near a high 4.3 40 yard dash.
+ He is as versatile as they get he can lineup at various positions on the football field and excel at that spot. While being a full-time starter at cornerback and safety he has played on every special team at least once during his career. Ramsey also excels at setting the edge, I could even argue that during his time at FSU no other player has set the edge better than he has. He can impact the games in so many different ways, any offense has to account for Ramsey at all times.
+ His intensity is almost unmatched in College Football and is reminiscent of former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins. Ramsey plays 100% on every play with a relentless motor that never stops. His team feeds off his intensity, when he’s playing at the top of his game so is the defense. During big games Ramsey plays his best, the intensity he plays with his special and its something we do not see that much in college football anymore.
+ Jalen Ramsey is the best defensive playmaker in College Football. You will not find a player who can do what this guy does at safety, it is truly remarkable and Ed Reed-esque. Turn on his 2014 Miami film and you will see what I am talking about. In that game against Miami he forced a fumble, had one interception, deflected four passes and altered around six Brad Kaaya throws from blitzing the edge. He is a long rangy safety that can cover an insane amount of ground. Ramsey has an uncanny ability to create turnovers and make big plays that only the best of NFL safeties can make. When Ramsey enters the NFL he will be a top-notch defensive playmaker and potentially an All-Pro safety from day one.
Weaknesses
-Right now, Ramsey lacks the ideal build and frame to be an NFL safety. Once he enters an NFL weight program he should fill out quick but as of right now he is too skinny and thin to take the necessary punishment that is required to play safety.
-If a team does decide to play him at cornerback they will have to work on his man to man coverage. He is very good at pressing WRs at the line of scrimmage but when it comes to covering that player one on one he is a little sloppy right now. The game this year against Miami exposed some of Ramsey’s man to man flaws but it should not take him long to improve on these skills if a team decides to play him on the outside.
Final Verdict
Jalen Ramsey is my #1 rated player for the 2016 NFL Draft. Usually safeties don’t get looked at in the top five but this is not just your everyday ordinary safety. Ramsey has the potential and the ability to be the best safety in football for a long time. He has Brian Dawkins like intensity with Ed Reed like talent at safety, that is someone I would consider taking in the top five.
A team who is trying to find an identity on their defense is going to fall in love with Jalen Ramsey. He should be a NFL All-Pro by his second or third year and be the cornerstone of a defense for a long time.