Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen Ramsey already an elite shutdown corner
By Larry Brake
Jalen Ramsey is one of the franchise cornerstones of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has already become one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Jalen Ramsey as the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jacksonville started Ramsey in Week 1. He has not disappointed, but has also exceeded early expectations and is becoming one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks.
As the 2016 season progressed, Ramsey was compared to another former Florida State alum. He was targeted only 22 percent of the opponents pass attempts per Football Outsiders. Due to his rapid development, teams decided to throw away from him. Ramsey made 55 solo tackles. He had two interceptions and one was a pick-six.
This preseason, Ramsey had surgery due to a core muscle injury. He missed significant practice time. Currently, he is on Jacksonville’s injury list each week. How has his offseason affected his play, though?
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Not very much. Pro Football Focus ranks Ramsey very high according to Sam Monson:
"Jacksonville’s second-year corner Jalen Ramsey stands on the precipice of greatness. This season he has allowed just seven catches through four weeks, and they have gone for a total of 42 yards, with no single catch going more than 10 yards. He has allowed a passer rating of 23.4, and a completion rate of 36.8, the best mark in the league."
Ramsey has shut down the opposing team’s best receiver in each game. Houston, Tennessee, Baltimore and New York chose to throw at A.J. Bouye. This week, Ramsey will face Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown.
First of all, Ramsey will cover Brown exclusively, shadowing him throughout the game. Last Sunday, Brown threw a tantrum on the sideline. Ramsey should be able to get inside Brown’s head. Remember as a rookie, Ramsey was able to rattle Baltimore receiver Steve Smith.
Expect Pittsburgh to run multiple crossing routes to free Brown. Brown has caught 30 passes for 388 yards and a touchdown through four games. His longest reception went for 50 yards, while five of his receptions have been for 20+ yards.
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Ramsey will face his biggest test yet this season in Pittsburgh. However, given the elite level of play the second-year pro has already shown, he’ll be up for the task. Regardless, it should be a great matchup.