Will LA Rams reunite with key players in time for NFC Championship Game?

Let’s get physical

When the LA Rams drafted inside linebacker Ernest Jones with the 103rd pick of the 2021 NFL Draft from the University of South Carolina, the team knew what they needed in the middle of their defense, and they have all the confidence in the world that Ernest Jones could and would deliver in his first year.

Even as a rookie, Jones has made his arrival known throughout the NFL. In 15 games and just seven starts, he has converted 440 defensive snaps into 61 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three quarterback hits, two interceptions, four pass deflections, and allowed just 32 completions out of 43 passes targeting his receiver.

The enforcer returns

Jones stands 6-foot-2, weighs a stout 230-pounds, and was brought to the LA Rams to fill a huge void in the middle of the defense. That void was exploited again and again by opponents as recently as mid-season of this year. Offenses targeted the Rams linebackers, both in the running game and in passing routes, in an attempt to overwhelm them and soften up the defense. Then, as the secondary crept in closer to help out, the opponent would launch passes deep downfield.

Jones’ physical play has thwarted that strategy. He picked off a Kyler Murray pass in Week 14 that helped the very short-handed LA Rams to defeat the Arizona Cardinals. The following week, he tackled the Seattle Seahawks ball-carrier 11 times.

Jones has only faced the San Francisco 49ers once, a 31-10 loss where the Rams fell behind quickly and were never really in the game. Even with such a lopsided contest, Jones put up six tackles and ended up playing most of the game despite not starting.  Jones did not lead the team to a victory in that one, but he certainly put his tenacity and ferociousness on the map. That infusion of dealing punishment to anyone who comes near him will be a welcome addition to the Rams defense.