After losing to the Patriots in the AFC title game last season, corner Jalen Ramsey and the Jacksonville Jaguars expected to do big things in 2018, but after starting the season 3-1, the team went on an seven-game losing streak, and now at this point, the Jaguars are 4-9 and playing for pride.
In the offseason, Ramsey did an interview with GQ Magazine where he gave an honest, but critical assessment of many players around the league. At that point, all eyes were on Ramsey, and he started slow, but he has played better later in the season. Ramsey, who was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2017, had four picks and 17 pass defenses last season, while in 2018, Ramsey has three picks and 10 pass defenses with three games left to play.
With all that being said, Ramsey believes he belongs in the Pro Bowl.
“Some people get it confused because we are losing right now on the team, but if you look at what I do out here, I’m still performing at a high level,” Ramsey said. “I’m still having productive games, doing well, doing my job for the team. You look at me against No. 1 receivers this year; they have had their lowest totals. Tyreek [Hill] – 40 yards. Everybody wants to talk about the one catch, but 40 yards. D-Hop [DeAndre Hopkins], three receptions, 50 yards. He had one long catch, but he had a touchdown as well. Odell [Beckham Jr.], he probably had the best game out of No. 1 wide receivers against me this year. He did really well. I couldn’t really play fully my game that game. Who else? T.Y. Hilton, he didn’t have his best game against me. Look at other weeks – he is putting up 100 [yards]. Three weeks before playing us, what did he do? He put up 200 the week after I want to say. A.B [Antonio Brown], I did my thing that game. He still got off, he still had his, but I wasn’t covering him right then. I’m not trying to just say what I’m doing, but I just feel like people forget sometimes. People are talented. There are other talented corners out here. My peers are definitely a talented group, but you look at me and you look at them, there is nothing they can really do.”
The Jaguars record will work against Ramsey, which is common for players who are on bad teams. When it all said and done, Ramsey’s numbers will be close to what he had last season. Therefore, a case can be made for Ramsey to the Pro Bowl, but in the end, playing on a bad team might just hold him back.