It feels like Jalen Ramsey has been in the league forever, right? Most fans can't even remember a time when he wasn't one of the most talked-about, polarizing, and undeniably talented cornerbacks in football. But there was a specific moment in 2016 when the Jacksonville Jaguars decided he was their guy, and honestly, it changed the trajectory of a couple of different franchises.
The Night Everything Changed: When Did Jalen Ramsey Get Drafted?
The date was April 28, 2016. The location? Chicago. The Jacksonville Jaguars officially selected Jalen Ramsey with the 5th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
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It’s easy to look back now and say it was a "no-brainer," but at the time, the top of that draft was wild. You had Jared Goff and Carson Wentz going one and two because everyone was desperate for a quarterback. Then things got interesting. The Chargers took Joey Bosa at three, and the Cowboys grabbed Ezekiel Elliott at four.
Basically, the Jaguars were sitting there at five, probably holding their breath, hoping the best defensive back in a generation would fall to them. And he did.
Why the 2016 Draft Was Such a Big Deal for Ramsey
Coming out of Florida State, Ramsey wasn't just another cornerback. He was a freak athlete who had spent his college career doing things most humans can't. He won the ACC long jump title. He was a consensus All-American. He was the first true freshman to start at cornerback for the Seminoles since Deion Sanders back in 1985.
Think about that for a second. Deion Sanders.
Scouts like Mike Mayock were calling him the "best positional player in the draft." He wasn't just a "cornerback"—he was a "defensive weapon." He played safety, he played the nickel, he blitzed off the edge. When the Jaguars took him, they weren't just getting a guy to cover receivers; they were getting a guy who could theoretically shut down an entire side of the field.
The Scouting Profile That Had GMs Drooling
Before he ever set foot on an NFL field, the hype was massive. Ramsey's Combine numbers were actually kind of ridiculous:
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.41 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 41.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 135 inches (which led all defensive backs)
He was 6-foot-1 and weighed about 209 pounds. He had the "long" frame that coaches like Gus Bradley—who was the Jaguars' head coach at the time—craved. Bradley had come from Seattle and wanted his own version of Richard Sherman. Ramsey was that, but arguably even more explosive.
What Most People Forget About His Rookie Year
Even though he was the 5th overall pick, things didn't start perfectly. Just weeks after he got drafted, Ramsey suffered a small meniscus tear during rookie minicamp. Fans in Jacksonville were panicking. You’ve seen it before—highly touted rookie gets hurt, and suddenly everyone is using the "B" word (bust).
But he recovered. Fast.
He started all 16 games as a rookie. He ended that 2016 season with two interceptions, 14 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He even returned one of those picks for a 30-yard touchdown against the Titans. By the end of his first year, everyone knew the Jaguars had hit a home run. He made the PFWA All-Rookie Team and proved he was exactly who he said he was: a shutdown corner.
The "Dream Scenario" for Jacksonville
General Manager David Caldwell famously called it a "dream scenario" when Ramsey fell to them. At that point, the Jaguars had the 31st-ranked scoring defense. They were bad. Like, really bad. Adding Ramsey was the first major brick in what would become the "Sacksonville" defense that eventually went to the AFC Championship game in 2017.
A Career That Traversed the Map
While he started in Jacksonville, Ramsey's career has been anything but stationary. He has a habit of making an impact wherever he lands.
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- Jacksonville Jaguars (2016–2019): This is where it all began. He became a superstar here, but it ended in a messy divorce and a trade request that felt like it lasted forever.
- Los Angeles Rams (2019–2022): The Rams gave up two first-round picks to get him. Was it worth it? Ask them about their Super Bowl LVI ring. Ramsey was a cornerstone of that defense.
- Miami Dolphins (2023–2024): He headed to South Florida to join Mike McDaniel's squad, continuing to stack up Pro Bowl nods even as he entered his late 20s.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2025–Present): Now in 2026, we’re seeing Ramsey in a Steelers uniform under Mike Tomlin. It’s a pairing that honestly makes too much sense—a gritty, high-IQ veteran corner joining a historic defense.
The Legacy of the 5th Overall Pick
When you look at the 2016 draft class now, Ramsey stands out as one of the few players who actually exceeded the massive expectations placed on him. He’s an 8-time Pro Bowler and a 3-time First-team All-Pro. He’s basically guaranteed himself a spot in Canton one day.
It’s rare that a player drafted in the top five stays at the top of their game for a decade. Most guys' bodies break down or they lose that half-step of speed. Ramsey? He’s adapted. He’s moved from being a pure "press-man" corner to a versatile safety/hybrid role when needed, showing the same football IQ he had back at Florida State.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you're tracking Ramsey's career or looking to understand why he's still a dominant force in 2026, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the "Star" Role: In modern defenses, Ramsey often plays the "Star" position (a hybrid nickel). This allows him to be closer to the ball, stop the run, and blitz, rather than just chasing a WR1 around all day.
- Contract Longevity: Despite several trades, Ramsey has consistently reset the market for defensive backs. If you're looking at NFL salary cap trends, he's the blueprint for how a DB can maintain high-value leverage late into their career.
- Draft Comparison: When evaluating upcoming DB prospects, the "Ramsey standard" is still the 40-yard dash and vertical jump combo. If a kid isn't hitting those 2016 Combine numbers, they likely won't have the same ceiling.
Ramsey getting drafted 5th overall in 2016 wasn't just a win for Jacksonville; it was the arrival of a player who would redefine what it means to be a "defensive back" in the modern NFL.
Check out his latest 2025-2026 stats with the Steelers to see how he's still affecting games in the twilight of his career. Whether you love his "trash talk" or hate it, there's no denying the man changed the game the moment he walked across that stage in Chicago.