3 veteran LA Rams whose 2024 season is set up to showcase their career-best

II: ILB Ernest Jones

The LA Rams' defense may be young at many positions, but the defense has been here before. It was the courage and confidence of veteran inside linebacker Ernest Jones IV who let the team through difficult times last season. He even missed two games due to injuries. So what can fans expect from a 2024 NFL season with Jones staying healthy?

A super season.

While veteran All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald was the star of this defense, Ernest Jones was the snarl, the grit, and the tough-tackling mindset that drove this defense to surround Donald with competent play. Donald demanded that players on this defense cared.

Ernest Jones made certain that they did. Jones put up 145 tackles in 15 games, an average of 9.67 tackles per game. He also put up 4.5 quarterback sacks, one of the NFL's highest marks for an inside linebacker. He also made 14 tackles for a loss, broke up six passes, had 14 quarterback pressures, and allowed just 70.8 percent of passes thrown over the middle to find their mark.

But he's just getting warmed up.

Jones was on a torrid pace in 2023 to put up 165 tackles and 5.0+ QB sacks, and I believe that he will best both numbers this season. In the absence of Donald, the yolk of making stops on defense will fall on Jones, and he is ready. He was drafted to be THAT GUY, and got an excellent opportunity to compete alongside and learn from All-Pro ILB Bobby Wagner.

Nobody has more pressure on this defense than Jones, and no player is more prepared to deliver than Ernest Jones.

He has shown tremendous growth each season. In 2024, his numbers could approach 180 tackles, 6.0 quarterback sacks, and two interceptions. He is not only the leader of this defense. In 2024, he is the heart and soul of this defense as well.