Palazzalo Sees Jalen Ramsey As Steelers' Potential Secret Weapon To Slow Lamar Jackson

Analyst Steve Palazzolo suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers could utilize defensive back Jalen Ramsey as a "secret weapon" against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, specifically proposing a hybrid nickel linebacker role. Palazzolo praised Ramsey's exceptional ability in "away from the ball" play, highlighting his skills in blowing up screens and making impactful plays even when not targeted, citing his statistics of 19 tackles for loss and 50 passes defensed over the past four seasons.

The Steelers recognize a significant challenge in facing the Ravens, admitting they had "a Baltimore problem" last year after being dominated, particularly in the playoffs. While historically competitive against Jackson, their effectiveness has diminished. Palazzolo argued that Ramsey's toolkit, especially his tackling ability from the cornerback position – an area where the Steelers could improve – would be extremely valuable in slowing down Jackson and the Ravens' offense. This need is underscored by Jackson's efficient performances against Pittsburgh last season, including throwing five touchdown passes across two games (regular season and playoffs) with minimal pass attempts.

However, the Steelers' actual plans for deploying Ramsey remain unclear. It is unknown if they currently have a defined role for him, with the expectation that head coach Mike Tomlin will emphasize flexibility based on Ramsey's play. The article notes that acquiring Ramsey represents an unusual move for the Steelers, driven by the critical need to beat the Ravens to win the AFC North, but also expresses hope that this pressure hasn't led to moves without a clear vision.