Jalen Ramsey never lacks for confidence. The Jacksonville Jaguars star has established himself as perhaps football's premier cover man since entering the league out of Florida State in 2016, and isn't afraid to let the world know about it. It comes as no surprise, then, that following his touchdown catch in last weekend's Pro Bowl, Ramsey is publicly calling for the opportunity to line up on the other side of ball going forward.
“I've been telling y'all this for years,” he said, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “Since I've been a Jaguar I've been telling y'all this. I've been asking for this. I know if I get in on that red zone I can make a play somehow. I'm a playmaker at the end of the day.
“We have fun out here, but I really do be asking the Jags ‘can I do some stuff [on offense]?' but, nah, of course they haven't been with it.”
Ramsey certainly has the athletic tools to thrive with the ball in his hands. He's big for a cornerback at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, and exhibited rare explosion at the NFL combine three years ago by running a 4.41 40-yard dash, vertical jumping 41.5 inches, and broad-jumping 11 feet, three inches – all of which placed at or near the top of his position group, and would stack up similarly well against any wide receiver.
Still, it's understandable why Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone would hesitate indulging his star defender's desires. Ramsey is far more valuable to the Jaguars on defense than he would be playing a few snaps per game at receiver, where his risk of injury would increase. It's not like he flashed real skill at wideout in the Pro Bowl, either; his touchdown catch came completely unencumbered, on a routine six-yard slant.
Bottom line: Ramsey is just too good on defense for Jacksonville to risk playing him on offense, no matter how bad he wants to. Don't expect him to stop lobbying otherwise, though.
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