How CB Jalen Ramsey's all-around game takes the Miami Dolphins defense to the next level

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

All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey leads this offense and his impact has been crucial even though he has yet to record an interception.

Ramsey’s NFL career has been filled with standout plays and accolades, including 22 interceptions, seven Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl title with the Rams in 2021.

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

While his numbers may not jump out at the stat line, Ramsey’s focus on shutting down receivers instead of looking for interceptions has provided consistency and structure to Miami’s secondary.

As the Dolphins prepare for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, Ramsey’s versatility could be on display against a high-profile rookie: wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

If tasked with beating Harrison, Ramsey’s skills will be crucial in containing one of the league’s most anticipated young talents.

Ramsey has flourished in defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s adaptable system.

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

With over 324 snaps this season, Ramsey has allowed just 10 catches for 86 yards while contributing four tackles for loss and five pressures on six blitz opportunities, according to Pro Football Focus.

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

Weaver’s play-calling has benefited from Ramsey’s adaptability.

Weaver recounted a conversation with his coaching staff that illustrated Ramsey’s impact and intelligence in disguising his role.

“I blitzed him three times in a row, and you obviously don’t want to have any tendency or tendency,” Weaver said. “He is so smart that we can do everything with him without having to attack him in a certain spot. Our corners coach Mathieu Araujo told me: ‘Jalen made money five times, and you only screwed him up once,” so we changed that next disk. Like I said, he’s a weapon.”

That sequence came against the Colts when he forced a pair of incompletions from Anthony Richardson, including those that had to be reviewed to confirm it wasn’t a fumble.

While Miami’s defense excels against the pass, it ranks 16th in rushing yards allowed, averaging 130.7 yards per game. Ramsey’s versatility has allowed the Dolphins to put him in positions that disrupt both the pass and run.

Dolphins pass game coordinator and secondary coach Brian Duker told reporters this week that Ramsey’s impact is not limited to pass stopping.

“That’s inaccurate because he’s also effective in the run game,” Duker said. “We’re trying to put him in a position to make impact plays. He’s an impact player for us, and if we think any position is most likely to have an impact on what we expect, we’ll try to put him there.”

Weaver sees Ramsey’s role as part of a broader evolution, with the defense moving through stages from ‘competence to confidence to flow state’.

Weaver acknowledges the defense’s low turnover numbers this season, but believes Ramsey’s presence will help the team reach a point where results will increase.

“We would love to have the takeaways and sales; I really believe they will come,” Weaver said.

“We’re still very much looking for a flow state as a group, and I think if we get to that, the takeout and revenue opportunities will come.”

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

Offenses often avoid testing Ramsey directly, instead tailoring their plans around his presence on the field.

The move has freed up other defenders like Zach Sieler and Emmanuel Ogbah, who have accounted for two of Miami’s three interceptions this season. Kader Kohou is the only defensive back who has made a choice.

“We’re trying to put him in position to make impact plays,” Duker added. “He’s an impact player for us, and if we think any position is most likely to have an impact on what we expect, we’ll try to put him there.”

Despite Ramsey’s modest stats, the Dolphins’ strategy has made their pass defense one of the most difficult to navigate in the league. His ability to shadow top receivers, combined with his effectiveness on blitzes and defensive lines, has given Miami a significant advantage.

“Jalen is a weapon,” Weaver said. “He’s so much more than a cornerback; he’s a football player.”

As Ramsey continues to develop within Miami’s system, his impact will be crucial in the defense’s pursuit of the elusive flow state that could lead to even more success for the team.