JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Last season was another down year for the Jaguars as a team but one bright spot was cornerback Jalen Ramsey. As a rookie the former Florida State star made one thing very clear – that he’s not afraid of anybody.
Whether it was now retired and former Baltimore receiver Steve Smith or Houston Pro Bowl pass catcher DeAndre Hopkins, Ramsey didn’t back down from a single challenge in 2016. If Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith hates losing, his former Seminole teammate downright despises it.
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Losing 13 games was tough on the former No. 5 overall pick and it poured over onto the field. He was ejected from the Oakland game for fighting and was seen on the sidelines of the Detroit game visibly shaken up while saying that he’s “tired of losing.”
Position: Cornerback
2016 Stats: 65 tackles, 2 INT, FF, 14 pass break ups
2017 Projection: Last season Ramsey was asked to shadow the best receiver from the opposing team. While it was a role he clearly thrived in Ramsey wanted to be used more like he was at Florida State where he lined up all over the field. As a rookie the Jaguars defensive staff didn’t allow that but it could change this season thanks to the addition of cornerback A.J. Bouye. The Jaguars feel they have two shutdown corners which gives them several more options than they had a year ago.
Ramsey had surgery for a core muscle injury in June but he’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp next week.
Key stat: During Ramsey’s three seasons in Tallahassee the Seminoles had a record of 37-4. In his first season with the Jaguars they had a nine-game losing streak.
From the locker room:
Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell on the similarities between Jalen Ramsey and Arizona CB Patrick Peterson:
“I mean those guys are all super athletes and especially Ramsey. Ramsey, he’s an incredible athlete. I see him, the way he can jump up and get the ball, much like Patrick when I saw Patrick do some special things. Ramsey has the same kind of ability and the same kind of hunger. I’ve talked with him and he wants to be the best in the game. He doesn’t just want to be a good player, he wants to be the best so I love that when he shows that kind of determination when I see that. He’s smart and he prepares by watching film of even himself trying to make sure he’s getting better.”