Throughout the offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders have quietly emerged as a potential dark horse in the Jalen Ramsey sweepstakes. While much of the speculation has centered around a reunion with the Los Angeles Rams—where Ramsey won a Super Bowl and established himself as one of the league’s elite cornerbacks—CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin suggests that Las Vegas may also be a likely landing spot.
CBS Prediction: Traded to Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round pick
According to Benjamin, the Las Vegas Raiders are a compelling trade destination should the Dolphins move on from the veteran corner. He projects the compensation could be as modest as a 2026 fifth-round pick, given Ramsey’s age (30), injury history, and $21 million in cash owed this season.
While the Rams are chasing titles, the Raiders are still piecing together their foundation. Yet under new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll, Las Vegas has made tangible strides in reshaping its identity after a difficult 4-win 2024 season. The team emerged from the draft with noticeable improvements, but one need remains glaring: a proven, high-caliber cornerback.
Second-year standout Jakorian Bennett showed promise in 2024 but struggled with injuries, and the rest of the Raiders’ cornerback room remains unproven. Ramsey would immediately elevate that group and give the defense a leader in the secondary to pair with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.
Jalen Ramsey’s Fit With Las Vegas Raiders
There are valid concerns. Ramsey is recovering from a knee injury and did not attend Dolphins OTAs or mandatory minicamp—an absence the team has excused while actively seeking trade partners. As Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore noted, any team acquiring Ramsey would take on a $21 million commitment in 2025 and a cap hit of over $36 million in future years, with the veteran signed through 2028. For a rebuilding team, that kind of financial burden might not align with a long-term vision.
But the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t short on flexibility. With over $36 million in available cap space, they’re one of the few franchises that could absorb Ramsey’s contract without major maneuvering. And Carroll’s defensive philosophy—built on toughness and versatility—could be a natural fit for a player like Ramsey, whose intensity and football IQ remain among the best in the league.
Interestingly, Ramsey has previously named the Raiders as a top destination when he was initially traded from Jacksonville, adding a layer of mutual intrigue should Las Vegas pursue him now.
While the Rams still present the cleanest storyline, if Miami prioritizes draft capital and cap relief over sentimentality, and if the Las Vegas Raiders want to accelerate their defensive rebuild with a proven star, they may be the team best positioned to make it happen.