Jalen Ramsey requests to be traded

Hot off the heels of the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to the Steelers, we now have Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, better known to 49ers fans as “That dude who said Jimmy Garoppolo beat the Jaguars on scheme,” has requested a trade per Adam Schefter. Why? Well, here you go:

Nothing quite says a desire to go elsewhere than a sideline spat with your coach. Mike Singletary thinks that’s heated.

The argument stems from Marrone refusing to challenge a play that many think the Jaguars could have won. Our sister blog, Big Cat Country, goes over it in good detail. The result is Ramsey wants out, and now the trade rumors for Ramsey can begin again.

Ramsey has one more year on his contract, his fifth-year option that the Jaguars exercised earlier this year. He’s guaranteed over $13 million for 2020 and then becomes a free agent.

Do the San Francisco 49ers need Ramsey? My answer is no. Richard Sherman is playing at a high level, and beyond his play on the field, he’s been even more invaluable off the field, something that might get him a few more years, and maybe finish his career with, the 49ers. Ahkello Witherspoon has shown some good stuff in his first two games back also and is a homegrown cornerback of the future.

Then there’s Jason Verrett who was inactive. That’s crazy depth right there. The Jaguars are looking for a first-round pick, similar to Fitzpatrick. Unlike Fitzpatrick, that’s $13 million and one solid year (2019 would be Ramsey learning the defense). He’d be worth a late first, but that would be the ceiling.

If the 49ers were to bring in Ramsey, they’d have to sacrifice a pick, and then go into overtime teaching Ramsey the scheme. 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was with the Jaguars in Ramsey’s rookie season so it shouldn’t be too different. But then, who gets bumped? Again, Verrett didn’t even suit up, and he’s no scrub. The rise of Witherspoon has been a blessing to the 49ers, and if there’s anything Witherspoon needs, it’s more playing time.

So this seems like it’s not possible for the 49ers given what they have at cornerback. Also, a reminder: they don’t have a second-rounder in 2020. So do you A: give up 2020 first-rounder and not make a pick until the third round or B: give up a 2021 first-rounder for a guy who might not be on the team when you could have picked?

Of course, you could always shuffle someone to nickel corner. K’Waun Williams didn’t look too hot there on Sunday. Truthfully, I’d want Ramsey in the building after all those Garoppolo comments. That would be pretty damn funny. Bovada currently lists the 49ers having the fifth-best odds to acquire Ramsey. You can watch his press conference from Tuesday morning if you’re interested.