Put Some Respect On Ernest Jones’ Name

The Los Angeles Rams' starting linebacker Ernest Jones IV is one of the most underrated players in the NFL at his position. If Jones were a stock, I advise everyone to buy as many shares as possible.

Anytime we discuss the top off-ball linebackers in the league, the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner and Baltimore Ravens’ Roquan Smith immediately come to mind, for good reason. Other linebackers will also hear their names evoked over Jones too—this must change in 2024. Playing behind a defensive line with Aaron Donald, two stellar rookies like Kobie Turner and Byron Young can make it hard for fans to hone in on a linebacker. That said, Jones has proven to elevate his game every season. This level of growth should be praised. 

In 2023, Jones finished the season with 145 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six pass deflections, and 16 run-stuffs. He plays with his hair on fire and consistently finds and flows to the football. He is a three-down defender who blitzes well on delayed calls or by mugging up the A-gap.

Jones has the talent, numbers, and film deserving of more media recognition. 

Yes, we know linebackers are devalued until you don’t have an impactful one, which hurts your defense entirely. Jones is a good definition of an impact linebacker. I love his instincts and field vision. He will knife into the backfield and make plays as a downhill defender—he had 17 tackles for a loss last season. Running backs have their hands full with him in one-on-one pass-blocking sequences. He is a terror at the line of scrimmage in simulated pressure packages. 

Jones can do multiple things for the Rams’ defense and is an impact player on the second level. Let’s get ahead of the game and start appreciating talented and impactful off-ball linebackers again like Jones!