2 ILBs the LA Rams passed on to draft Ernest Jones at 103

South Carolina connection

Wait, where did I just also read that? Tutu Atwell could also contribute on special teams as a punt and kickoff return man. It seems that the LA Rams used their critical second and third-round picks to ensure that the team also addressed significant upgrades as potent special teams contributors.

And as for passing on Jabril Cox, that’s easily explained. The LA Rams running back coach, Thomas Brown, came from the South Carolina Gamecocks coaching staff in 2020. And with it, he brought his intimate knowledge of the Gamecocks players. It was clear that knowledge persuaded the Rams to pick up a young man with clear leadership qualities

This one has Coach Brown all over it. Ernest Jones is described as a tough gritty player and is often compared to a throwback linebacker from the golden era. Oh, he is versatile as well. He does have outside linebacker experience. Watching his play, he clearly enjoys knocking running backs on their arse.

This pick is as much about filling the glaring roster hole at inside linebacker in the 2022 roster as anything. The Rams clearly now have a plan where the team can start inside linebackers Micah Kiser and Travin Howard for the 2021 season, let Ernest Jones improve through the season, and be set to start in 2022 if now sooner. In the lack of hard data, the Rams did the next best thing. The team trusted the word of one of their most trusted coaches.