5 NFL teams likely to pounce on trade rumors for Rams ILB Ernest Jones

It was too good to be true for the LA Rams and Rams fans. This is a young team that seemed to have navigated training camp and preseason with some luck as far as serious player injuries. And while we chuckled to ourselves over the financial quagmire that faced NFC rivals like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, the Rams seemed to escape hard currency headaches.

Ah, the irony.

At the end of preseason, fans hoped to be glowing with optimism over this team. Depth seemed to peak. So did the talent pool of the team's most vital positions. But some positions are not so deep. The Rams lost DB Derion Kendrick to an ACL injury for the season, an injury that forced the front office to scramble a bit.

Now, the team faces trade demands from ILB Ernest Jones IV, a key cog who is expected to be the glue for this defense for years to come. The trade demand is sneaky smart in terms of pressure. By making the request with 48 hours to go until the NFL Roster Cuts deadline at 1:00 pm PT on August 27, 2024, Jones and his representation have placed tremendous chronological pressure on the team to make something happen instantly.

The team cannot afford to cut Jones now. And the team cannot afford to cut his ultimate roster replacement. So with so little time, we are going to be fast-tracking some options out of this dark place. Our first article post-trade demand is to name the teams that could have interest in a trade for Jones. They are:

(5) - Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders may have some interest, if for no other reason than a bona fide successor to current starting MLB Bobby Wagner. Jone and Wagner have played alongside one another with the Rams in 2022, and both seemed to benefit from the union. Wagner has a talented understudy to work with, while Jones had a legit All-Pro mentor. The Rams could expect a draft pick, and perhaps one of the Commanders' young cornerbacks who might otherwise land on their practice squad.

(4) - Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers make sense, if for no other reason than a team that would be close to where Ernest Jones played college football. The Panthers have a history of outstanding linebacker play, and with Ernest Jones's current trajectory, he could be the next in line of that tradition. And the Panthers have a solid rookie in former Kentucky rookie ILB Trevin Wallace. A future Round 6 pick and Wallace could be enough to pry Jones from the Rams roster.

(3) - Seattle Seahawks

While a division rival is not an ideal situation for a trade partner for a disgruntled but highly talented future pro bowler, time is of the essence right now. And Seattle Seahawks HC Mike McDonald loves to load up on linebackers. The team recently signed LB Tyrel Dodson. Now, the team could truly upgrade the defense with a well-timed call to the LA Rams. What would the Rams get in return? The team could look for LB Jerome Baker (who formerly played for the Miami Dolphins) and a future Round 5 pick.

(2) - New York Giants

It's stunning to see the New York Giants, one of the best linebacker-driven defenses in the recent past, as a team on the prowl for inside linebacker help. But such is the place they find themselves. And so, the sudden and unexpected availability of one of the NFL's top young inside linebackers has to attract some interest. And so he does. Who could the Rams get in return? The Giants have been rumored to have OLB Azeez Ojulari on the trade block. If they sweeten the pot with a future draft pick, trade negotiations could progress quickly.

(1) - Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are another team that has a strong need for a starting ILB like Ernest Jones. So what would the Rams likely get in return? Well, my 'insider' information suggests that the Broncos would be willing to trade veteran ILB Alex Singleton and a future draft pick for a young rising ILB star like Ernest Jones. Singleton is a tackling machine and would be a solid return for a team that was blind-sided at the Nth hour.

There is no way to paint this situation in a positive fashion. But things have a way of working out. If the Rams stay the course, there could be a solid trade (if necessary) in the makings. Ernest Jones IV is a solid performer. If he no longer sees his future with the LA Rams, the team has every right to look for equitable compensation to trade him away.

Thanks for reading.