In a surprising blockbuster commerce, CB Jalen Ramsey is now a Pittsburgh Steeler. Right now, I needed to have a look at Ramsey’s 2024 season for the Dolphins statistically. The purpose is to see what his execs and cons had been in anticipation for what issues may appear to be within the Metal Metropolis in 2025.
The state of affairs that involves thoughts for the place first is protection. So, I’ll begin with targets and catch price allowed:
Of 34 gamers with not less than 850 whole snaps, Ramsey (and Steeler Joey Porter Jr.) lands under the imply in every. The higher information is Ramsey being focused 65 instances, sixth-least amongst qualifiers. With Ramsey, Porter, and likewise new Steeler Darius Slay, opposing quarterbacks should decide and select their battles in opposition to arguably the most effective CB trio on paper for 2025.
The flip facet is permitting a poor 70.8-percent catch price, fifth-worst of the 34 qualifiers. There are lots of elements to the stat, corresponding to defensive scheme and utilization, however we additionally see that it wasn’t a shutdown nook kind of season in 2024. In truth, that’s the worst catch price allowed in Ramsey’s 9 12 months profession so far. Worse than anticipated, little question.
Talking of which, there may be one other component of Ramsey’s play that jumps out negatively on the stat sheet. Listed here are missed deal with charges on the place, together with whole defensive snaps:
Not solely was Ramsey’s missed deal with price a difficulty, it was third-worst among the many identical 34 qualifiers. That quantity was 19.4-percent, which isn’t what Steelers followers wish to see after too many points in that regard in 2025 general. Compared, Porter had an 11.7-percent missed deal with price (on much less snaps), with the most effective and worst numbers coming in at 0.0 and 20.8-percent.
This was additionally the worst results of Ramsey’s profession, with just one different missed deal with price worse than 10.0 (14.0-percent) in 2020. So, the optimistic view is that the missed deal with price in 2024 was an outlier given his observe document, however seeing a number of aspects of Ramsey’s sport trailing off is the flip facet.
On paper, some points in protection and tackling jumped out as among the worst 2024 stats for Ramsey, clearly.
Now for some nice information. Lets take a look at run protection snaps and run protection grades from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF):
We positively get a rosier image right here, with Ramsey posting the second-best 85.7 run protection grade amongst 32 qualifiers with a minimal of 325 run protection snaps. This got here on 373 run protection snaps, rating 18th of the group. That could be a bit under common, however maximized high quality run protection general.
Evaluating this to Porter’s 353 run protection snaps, the outcomes illustrated by the grades had been night time and day at 60.4, seventh-worst amongst this group and considerably decrease than Ramsey. Pittsburgh has definitely prioritized higher run protection this season. Ramsey is not any exception, and hopefully aids this hope as a lot because the stats point out from 2024.
Lastly, one other optimistic that comes with the Ramsey addition are his go speeding contributions. Listed here are go rush snaps and whole pressures of cornerbacks with not less than ten go rushes (34 qualifiers):
First, Ramsey offered essentially the most whole pressures amongst cornerbacks final season with 12. He was the one participant on the place in double digits, so his affect there was simple. As you’d anticipate, his alternatives had been ample too, with 47 go rushes which ranked fourth-most. High quality and amount, for certain.
Nearly all of qualifiers land on the underside left, highlighting that many corners aren’t requested to go rush usually or put up gaudy stress numbers. This contains returning Steeler Beanie Bishop Jr., who had 14 go rushes (twenty fourth) and three whole pressures (sixteenth).
Bishop after all performed slot nook primarily, which requires a really versatile skillset. Whereas Ramsey performed primarily outdoors final season, he did have 185 slot snaps. Together with his extra different skillset, I’m with a number of Depot crew members being intrigued for him to get extra slot alternatives, which I’ll possible break down in a future article quickly.
That will bode effectively for a room that modified quite a bit this offseason, and for a staff that has lacked a constant presence that must be sturdy in all areas. If it had been to pan out this manner, Ramsey will hopefully have the ability to positively pattern in protection and cleansing up missed tackles. This was cleaner for many of his profession, so not out of the query, and right here’s to hoping it’s the case, together with continued success as a run defender and go rusher.
