Jalen Ramsey introduced by Dolphins: 'I want to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer'

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – New Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey arrived in South Florida, did some shopping for a new outfit and went to a Miami Heat game during his first couple hours after his trade from the Los Angeles Rams.

It still hasn’t hit him yet.

The fact he was traded away after nearly four seasons with the Rams on Wednesday. How he ended up in his preferred landing spot with a new deal and the potential to be the best cornerback tandem in the NFL with close friend Xavien Howard in a revamped Dolphins defense.

The expectations are high once again for Ramsey, a Super Bowl champion and three-time All-Pro – and even more for the Dolphins. But it’s nothing Ramsey isn’t used to.

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“I’m trying to help however I can to bring a championship here,” Ramsey said during his first press conference with the Dolphins on Thursday at team headquarters.

“I know I can. I know I can do my part. … I’m just a piece of the puzzle. There’s a lot more that goes into it.”

Jalen Ramsey thinks he’s a Hall of Famer already

Ramsey will make $55 million with $35.5 million guaranteed for the next three seasons in Miami, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person requested anonymity because the deal has not been announced.

Ramsey knows he’s at a different stage of his career after being the No. 5 pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016.

But after seven seasons and 108 career regular-season games, he still has plenty he wants to achieve on the football field.

“For me individually, obviously, I want to be a Hall of Famer. Honestly, I think I’m a Hall of Famer. But I want to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer,” Ramsey said.

“I want to be in the same conversation as Darrelle Revis, Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders.”

On a team basis, Ramsey said he wants to help his teammates any way he can so they can improve their games and earn personal accolades and new contract money.

And, of course, “playoff wins and Super Bowls,” Ramsey said.

“If I can bring that, it’ll be very fulfilling.”

Jalen Ramsey excited about new Dolphins defense

Ramsey is the fourth high-profile player to join the Dolphins in the last year, joining receiver Tyreek Hill, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and left tackle Terron Armstead.

Ramsey saw how the Rams collected star talents like wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and edge rusher Von Miller to help Los Angeles win the Super Bowl in 2021. Now, he’s Miami’s latest addition with the same expectations.

Under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Dolphins will rely on Ramsey and Howard to cover their receivers, affording defensive linemen like Chubb, Christian Wilkins, Jaelan Phillips and Emmanuel Ogbah enough time to get after the quarterback.

“On paper, I’ll sing praises all day long,” Ramsey said of the Dolphins’ talent.

“But we have a lot to do and a lot to accomplish before we go to those games.”

Jalen Ramsey is a part of the new-look AFC East

While Ramsey is the Dolphins’ biggest addition this offseason, the NFL awaits Aaron Rodgers’ potential trade from the Packers to the Jets. On Wednesday, Rodgers said on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he wanted to play for the Jets.

With Josh Allen and the Bills reigning over the division for three straight seasons and the pesky Patriots still competitive, winning the AFC East won't be easy.

“We’ll be straight. We gonna put the work in – it’s the NFL, any given Sunday. but I think we’ll be good,” Ramsey said.

“They played well in the division without me, I’m just trying to add to that.”

Is Jalen Ramsey past his prime?

Ramsey, certainly not lacking in the pride department, took exception to a question about others perceiving his game as on the decline.

The Dolphins needed a 2023 third-round pick and last year’s third-round pick in tight end Hunter Long to acquire Ramsey from the Rams.

“Did you see me play this past year? You have to really turn on the film now, and really watch it. You don’t become this successful without actually doing good things on that field and having the respect of your peers and media,” Ramsey said.

“We’ll keep the receipts, and revisit it after the fact.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen Ramsey joins Dolphins, wants to be first-ballot Hall of Famer