Did the Marcus Peters trade blaze a trail for Jalen Ramsey rumors?

Jalen Ramsey is reportedly on the Jaguars’ trade block. Are the Chiefs responsible for setting the table for such a deal to even be made in the NFL?

Last offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs surprised the NFL world when they decided to deal away Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters to the L.A. Rams in exchange for middling draft results. The Jacksonville Jaguars are apparently thinking of doing the same with a shocking cornerback deal of their own this coming winter/spring with rumors that they are reportedly open to shopping Jalen Ramsey.

The surprise behind the Chiefs deal of Peters had less to do with the draft haul in return and more about the willingness to trade him in the first place. Besides a quarterback and a pass rusher, it’s arguable that no other position is more important than shutdown cornerback. Even more, Peters was cost-controlled, an All-Pro corner on a record-setting trajectory for forcing turnovers still playing on his rookie deal. Trades like this, if made at all, are incredibly rare.

The fact that the Jaguars are even thinking about such a trade is surprising, but perhaps not as much so given the Peters deal. The Chiefs current stable of cornerbacks is performing just fine. In fact, the entire team is fine, sitting atop the entire AFC at 9-1 (as of press time).

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The success of the Chiefs is, of course, dependent upon their historic offense. The Jaguars have no such thing (insert laugh track here) but other changes will be made this offseason by the Jags and perhaps they are envisioning life without the drama. While no one has come out and said why the Chiefs really traded Peters away, it is logical enough to assume that drama was part of it.

Whether or not you personally agree with the perception of Peters to the fan base, it’s impossible to ignore that a vocal group was frustrated with the cornerback for protesting during the national anthem. It also didn’t help matters that he got into a fight with a coach and was perceived as an unwilling tackler. If Peters was going to become expensive, then perhaps Brett Veach wanted to get what he could in a deal.

Right or wrong, agree or not, the Chiefs moved on and they aren’t hobbling because of the decision. Veach knew when trading Peters that he would need more help and he went out and got it in Kendall Fuller. He also brought in Orlando Scandrick as the one-year veteran deal to round out the top of the depth chart and along with Steven Nelson, the trio have performed admirably.

For the Jaguars, there would likely be the same sort of solid performance up top. A.J. Bouye remains one of the very best at his position. Undoubtedly Ramsey would bring back at least one high pick in return if not a couple which means the Jags should have the capital to add another young solid starter who could team with Tyler Patmon, DJ Hayden and others for a stable corps. They might not have the elite athleticism and instincts of Ramsey, but that player is also likely going to be less of a draw for negative reasons.

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The Jaguars, on paper, would be wise to hold on to Ramsey given how difficult it can be to find players like him who make such a significant difference. But the Chiefs have proven that you can make a deal like this and still come out okay in the end. It takes work and planning, but one player, even a great young one, won’t make the entire roster collapse—or at least it doesn’t have to.

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