How CB Jalen Ramsey’s all-around play elevates the Miami Dolphins defense

The Miami Dolphins have built one of the most formidable pass defenses in the NFL, ranking first in passing yards and touchdowns allowed and third in opponent passing yards allowed.

Pro linebacker Jalen Ramsey is leading this charge and his impact has been key despite the fact that he has yet to record an interception.

Ramsey’s NFL career is filled with standout performances and accolades, including 22 interceptions, seven Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl title with the Rams in 2021.

However, his real value to Miami is his versatility, which has become essential to the Dolphins’ evolving defense.

While his numbers don’t jump out of the stats, Ramsey’s focus on shutting down receivers rather than hunting down steals provided consistency and structure to Miami’s secondary.

As the Dolphins prepare for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, Ramsey’s versatility was on display against an influential rookie: winger Marvin Harrison Jr.

If Ramsey is tasked with replacing Harrison, Ramsey’s skill set will be key in containing one of the most anticipated young talents in the league.

Ramsey flourished under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s flexible system.

While he currently has a goose egg in the interception column, Ramsey’s work in coverage and as a blitzer has created significant disruptions for opponents.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ramsey, who has logged more than 324 snaps this season, has allowed just 10 catches for 86 yards while adding four tackles for loss and five pressures on six offensive opportunities.

“I try to bring in Jalen as much as possible,” Weaver said. “He is more than just a corner; he’s a footballer. As much as we can get him around the ball to make an impact, we will try to do that.”

Weaver’s play took advantage of Ramsey’s adaptability.

Weaver recounted an exchange with his coaching staff that illustrates Ramsey’s influence and intelligence in concealing his role.

“I hit him three times in a row and obviously you don’t want to have any advantage or bias,” Weaver said. “He’s so smart that we can do anything with him without having to hit him in a certain spot. Our corner kick coach Mathieu Araujo told me:Jalen took the nickel five times and you only took him down once. so we changed the next ride. Like I said, he’s a weapon.”

This sequence occurred against the Colts when he forced several incompletions on Anthony Richardson, including one that had to be reviewed to confirm it wasn’t a mistake.

While Miami’s defense is excellent against the passing game, it ranks 16th in rushing yards, giving up an average of 130.7 yards per game. Ramsey’s versatility allowed the Dolphins to put him in positions to disrupt both the pass and run game.

Dolphins passing game coordinator and associate coach Brian Duker told reporters this week that Ramsey’s impact goes beyond stopping the pass.

“That’s not true because he’s also effective in the running game,” Duker said. “We’re trying to put him in a position to influence the game. He is an impact player for us and if we feel that any position is likely to have an impact on what we expect, we will try to put him there.”

Weaver sees Ramsey’s role as part of a broader evolution in which the defense moves through stages of “competence, confidence and a state of fluency.”

Weaver admits the defense has a low turnover rate this season, but he believes Ramsey’s presence will help the team get to the point where the bottom line increases.

“We would like to have takeaways and takeaways; I believe they will,” Weaver said.

“As a group, we are still very much chasing a state of flow, and I think once we get there, there will be opportunities for takeaways and rotations.”

Despite Ramsey’s quiet numbers this season, his influence is evident in the way opponents approach Miami’s defense.

Offenders often avoid testing Ramsey directly, instead adapting their plans to his presence on the pitch.

This adjustment freed up other defenders like Zach Sieler and Emmanuel Ogbah, who account for two of Miami’s three steals this season. Kader Kohou is the only defensive back to register a pick.

“We’re trying to get him in the right position to have an impact on the game,” Duker added. “He is an impact player for us and if we feel that any position is likely to have an impact on our expectations, we will try to put him there.”

Despite Ramsey’s modest stats, the Dolphins’ strategy has turned their pass defense into one of the toughest in the league. His ability to track top players, combined with his efficiency in blitzing and running defense, gave Miami a significant advantage.

“Jalen is a weapon,” Weaver said. “He is more than just a cornerback; he’s a footballer.”

As Ramsey continues to develop in Miami’s system, his impact will be crucial to the defense’s pursuit of the elusive “flow state” that can lead to even greater team success.