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IDP Implications of Ernest Jones Trade

Steve Hungarter

Who could have seen this coming? The Rams have traded Ernest Jones to the Titans. The terms? The Titans will also receive a 2026 sixth round pick, while the Rams will get a 2026 fifth round pick. It’s a deal that works for both teams.

Ernest Jones has been a starter since his rookie year and has thrived in the Rams’ one-linebacker zone coverage scheme. Although the Rams technically use a 3-3-5 formation, their linebackers often act as part-time edge defenders, giving it the appearance of a 5-1-5 system on tape.

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Impact on Titans

With this trade, I think Jones will likely still have the opportunity to play a “green dot” role and remain a top-tier linebacker in this draft season. However, it seems likely that his peak value was with the Rams, and this move might slightly decrease his value in terms of scheme fit and production. It could take him some time to get up to speed with the Titans and learn the defense.

The trade is also expected to diminish the value for Kenneth Murray as he serves as the second linebacker but he is likely to retain decent playing time because the Titans proved in the preseason that they are willing to utilize two linebackers close to full time.

However, this Ernest Jones deal kills any value I had in Jack Gibbens.

In terms of Football IQ, Linebackers in zone coverage schemes perform better than those in team schemes playing man coverage due to their positioning. In a zone scheme, linebackers (with the back-to-end zone and staring at the Quarterback) have more chances to make tackles. A common misconception is that tackles are only made in run defense but that isn’t true. In zone coverage, one linebacker is often preferred and does well on the stat line versus other systems. However, the Titans are expected to employ more man-coverage principles, the plan there is to stack the box and rely on the corners to make plays off 50/50 balls. Man coverage, where linebackers will need to turn their backs to the play to cover downfield passes, reducing their opportunities to make tackles. This is a very simplistic approach and a way to look at it, but with a scheme and Murray also present can’t help but think this is a bump down.

Impact on Rams

The big question: who will step up to fill Jones’s role?

Sean McVay recently indicated they like all their linebacker and that Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder are slated to be starters.

But don’t be surprised if  Jake Hummel gets  a shot at calling the defense based on his preseason performance. Christian Rozeboom’s role might not change much, while UDFA Omar Speights will also be in the mix.” During the preseason, Jake Hummel wore the green dot and finished with 7 tackles on 56 snaps and a favorable 90.7 PFF grade. For any redraft leagues, Hummel is likely the linebacker to target, with Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom also competing for snaps.

Omar Speights is the Dynasty and taxi stash to own. I was interested to see if this rookie could handle zone coverage in 3-3-5 LB sets. Here is what we found out: Omar Speights was the highest-graded preseason linebacker according to PFF, with a score of 90.6.” Speight is a name to watch as a potential dynasty stash, but it might be premature to expect him to secure a solid role immediately. He’s likely to rotate with the veterans.

I’m anticipating that Jake Hummel will start this season, with Rozeboom and Reeder also rotating in.

Given the Rams’ 3-3-5 formation, the nickel defenders could see an increased role as well. Safety duo Kam Curl and Quentin Lake have been valuable in tackle-heavy leagues when given sufficient snap counts. I am anticipating a bump up for all these players.

A sleeper to watch here is Quentin Lake. Notice how he makes tackles every time he gets adequate playing time. He is certainly playable in deeper league contests.

Thank you for reading!  Follow me on Twitter at @IDPHunter

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