Versatile Jalen Ramsey destined to be an NFL star wherever he lines up

Some teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, see Jalen Ramsey as a cornerback. Others want him as a safety. The Florida State defensive back doesn’t care where he plays.

“Don’t have [a preference],” Ramsey said. “I can play where they need me to. I feel like I can work outside, in the slot or play deep. I have a lot to learn, have to study receivers, learn the defense I’m in, but I think if I put the work in, I’ll be able to move around if they need me to.

“But I’ll do whatever a team, or the coaches, want me to do.”

Ramsey started 40 games in his three-year career, with 11 at free safety, 15 at corner and 14 at a hybrid nickelback position the Seminoles call “STAR.” He played zone, press and off-man coverage, according to CBS Sportsline draft analyst Dane Brugler.

“It depends on the style of defense you play,” Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said. “Are you a press/man team or an off/zone team? How do you play your free safety? Single-high or a strong and a free back there? A lot of it depends on that.

“He’s capable of doing both. A lot of it comes down to what do you value more: Your free safety or your corner?”

Ramsey, 21, made 180 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 26 pass breakups and three interceptions in his career.

“I’m a player who can do a lot of things for a team, can make plays, be a game-changer,” Ramsey said. “That’s what’s needed. Most people think just offensive players can make plays, change games, make big plays, but as we saw in the Super Bowl this year, Von Miller, he was the game-changer. He was the playmaker.”

Overview

The safety class isn’t great, but it’s good and better than past years, especially if Jalen Ramsey is considered a safety. Ramsey ranks as a top-five choice. Cornerback has several prospects in the first-round discussion with Vernon Hargreaves, Mackensie Alexander, William Jackson and Eli Apple, but teams will find quality players in each round.

Cowboys’ needs

Brandon Carr hasn’t made an interception the past two seasons, but he does stay on the field. That’s something Morris Claiborne and Orlando Scandrick haven’t done. Scandrick, who was the team’s defensive MVP in 2014, missed all of last season after tearing two ligaments in his right knee during training camp. Claiborne has missed 24 games in four seasons. Byron Jones, a first-round choice last season, won the starting free safety job from J.J. Wilcox at midseason. But Jones’ versatility hurt him, as the Cowboys asked him to play cornerback in four games Claiborne missed. He proved to be better at safety, and the Cowboys hope to find him a home there this season. Barry Church is a sure tackler at strong safety, but he isn’t going to make game-changing plays.

Top 5

Jalen Ramsey, CB/S, Florida State, 6-1, 209, 4.41: Ramsey started 40 games at three positions in the defense and made 180 career tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions and 26 pass breakups.

Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida, 5-10, 204, 4.50: In 35 career starts, he made 121 tackles, 10 interceptions and 38 pass breakups.

William Jackson, CB, Houston, 6-0, 189, 4.37: In 28 career starts, he set a school record with 48 pass breakups and also made eight interceptions and 115 tackles.

Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson, 5-10, 190, 4.49: He made 27 career starts, making 44 tackles and 11 pass breakups but no interceptions.

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State, 6-1, 199, 4.40: He made 86 tackles, 22 pass breakups and four interceptions in 27 career starts.

Sleeper

James Bradberry, CB, Samford, 6-1, 211, 4.45: The Arkansas State transfer started 45 games at Samford and made 128 tackles, 35 pass breakups and eight interceptions.

Top Texas ties

Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor, 6-0, 201, 4.58: Howard, who was high school teammates with Jackson at Wheatley, projects as a second-rounder after 33 pass breakups and nine interceptions.

Jalen Mills, CB, LSU, 6-0, 191, 4.61: The DeSoto product, projected as a third-rounder, made 26 starts at corner and 19 at free safety.

Derrick Kindred, S, TCU, 5-10, 207, 4.50: Kindred, who projects as a fourth- or fifth-rounder, made 235 tackles with 23 pass breakups and eight interceptions in 50 games.

Zack Sanchez, CB, Oklahoma, 5-11, 185, 4.50: The Keller Central product, projected as a fifth-rounder, made 134 tackles, 28 pass breakups and 15 interceptions in 37 starts.

DeAndre Elliott, CB, Colorado State, 6-1, 188, 4.55: The Dallas Carter product, projected as a fifth- or sixth-rounder, made 34 pass breakups and seven interceptions in 34 starts.

Brandon Williams, CB, Texas A&M, 5-11, 197, 4.37: He switched from running back last summer and now projects as a sixth-rounder.

This story was originally published April 24, 2016 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Versatile Jalen Ramsey destined to be an NFL star wherever he lines up."