What All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey can do for 6-2 Dolphins

As he raced onto the field, the former All-Pro cornerback received a thunderous standing ovation, which served as an accurate foreshadowing of what came next. 

Not long after Ramsey formally introduced himself at Hard Rock Stadium, he made Patriots quarterback Mac Jones' acquaintance, but the exchange wasn't exactly pleasant for the visiting QB. Ramsey's interception set up a field goal before halftime.

This was the way it was always supposed to be for the six-time Pro Bowl standout in Miami. Ramsey's return from a knee injury suffered during training camp in July was as on point as head coach Mike McDaniel's humor following the Dolphins' 31-17 drubbing of the Patriots.

"[Ramsey] totally disappointed me. He called that he was going to come back and have a pick-six, not a picked-field goal," McDaniel said, per Sports Illustrated's Tommy Mire. "He did phenomenal. You want to talk about something that goes above and beyond? Like you can’t manufacture what he brought to our team in any other way."

McDaniel, who has the perfect demeanor for this team, and the Dolphins coaching staff can look forward to how Ramsey uniquely changes an NFL game. His presence in the secondary will allow defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to aggressively use the front seven to create more QB pressures.

Ramsey and fellow stud CB Xavien Howard — who might be set to return Sunday in Germany against the Kansas City Chiefs — are as lockdown as Alcatraz in its heyday. Their shutdown ability without needing safety help should translate into a jailbreak for the likes of pass-rushers Andrew Van Ginkel — an emerging force on D — and Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.

Ramsey's ability to blanket receivers should give his teammates lots of coverage sacks. He's a cerebral dude who deeply understands the many levels of Fangio's system.

"It’s hard to be really, really good in systems if your system’s really good," McDaniel said, per Sports Illustrated's Omar Kelly. "There’s high-level nuances and details to a good system that make it more challenging."

Dolphins impact safety Jevon Holland — who also should be healthy for the Chiefs game — is stoked to see how Ramsey and Howard can make life difficult for offenses.

"‘Rams’ adds a huge veteran aspect to the defense for me, myself, for other younger guys that want to learn. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) as well, having him back," Holland said, per SI. "Having two veterans back playing with us is huge. ... [I]t just makes the game a lot more fun."

Without the best CB tandem in the league on the field at the same time, Miami has gone 6-2, Now that Ramsey is back, the defense should really come together. He has the agility and frame (6-foot-1 and 208 pounds) to guard players such as Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, which means Holland can cheat closer to the line of scrimmage to stop runs.

Fangio, in fact, has designs on Ramsey lining up everywhere on the field for the game overseas.

Ramsey's presence also takes pressure off second-year CB Kader Kohou, whom the Dolphins signed as an undrafted free agent, and Eli Apple, who has struggled since being signed during camp to replace Ramsey. Kohou is better suited as the slot corner in nickel and dime packages.

With Ramsey in the starting lineup, the Dolphins may finally have a defense that can match the play of their offense.