Jalen Ramsey is reportedly on the trade block, but the 49ers shouldn't exactly be exploring how to make a deal for the veteran.
The San Francisco 49ers need a starting-caliber cornerback.
The Miami Dolphins are potentially looking to move an All-Pro caliber one, Jalen Ramsey.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Ramsey and the Dolphins are "mutually" checking out would-be trades to send the seven-time Pro Bowler elsewhere:
The #Dolphins and seven-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey are mutually set to explore trade options and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he played elsewhere in 2025, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2025
Miami and Ramsey, due $25.1M fully guaranteed this season, could be parting ways. pic.twitter.com/rfbNDcNL6m
Understandably, when a player of Ramsey's ilk becomes available, nearly every team in the league will explore whether or not it's a good idea to get involved in the trade sweepstakes.
Including the Niners, who have a void on the boundary after losing Pro Bowler Charvarius Ward to free agency last March.
That said, trying to acquire Ramsey doesn't exactly fit San Francisco's current modus operandi. All offseason, the 49ers' top brass has been shaving costs after being the NFL's top-spending team in 2024, and that's one of the reasons why Ward wasn't retained.
Adding Ramsey doesn't exactly make sense from the Niners' newfound vantage point.
Jalen Ramsey doesn't fit what 49ers are trying to do
So, aside from cutting costs, what exactly is San Francisco's new M.O.?
The 49ers want to get both younger and cheaper, something last season's 6-11 old-and-expensive squad didn't encapsulate. Ramsey, meanwhile, will turn 31 years old this upcoming season. And despite playing at a solid level in 2024 when he notched two more interceptions and 11 pass breakups, the Florida State alumnus is far closer to the end of his career than the beginning.
Acquiring Ramsey after June 1 would cost the Niners a shade over $9.9 million, per Over the Cap, and there's no guaranteed money left on his deal after 2025.
Still, a would-be trade doesn't fit what San Francisco wants to do, especially when it's looking at the prospects of getting younger, primarily with players added via the NFL Draft who are on inexpensive rookie contracts.
So, while adding Ramsey at a point when the 49ers' Super Bowl window was fully open, trying to do so now simply doesn't make sense.