The Rams have agreed to trade LB Ernest Jones to the Titans. Jones recently requested a trade after not landing a contract extension with L.A.
The Titans clearly acquired Jones to make him the new leader of a reshuffled LB corps.
Azeez Al-Shaair led the unit in playing time and stat production last year before getting a big free-agent deal in Houston. Tennessee imported Kenneth Murray to replace him. Murray figures to now operate as the No. 2 (which could also describe most of his performance for the Chargers after they drafted him in Round 1).
Jones emerged as a top-10 fantasy LB with the Rams last year, his first full season as a starter. His cross category scoring ability should keep him a strong IDP option despite the move to a new defense.
We're not adjusting team-defense projections for either squad for this move -- though the Titans get a slight upside boost and the Rams a slight decrease.
Neither unit heads into 2024 looking particularly attractive. Tennessee could prove worth playing in positive matchups. L.A. will rely on lots of unproven talent.
I have to assume the Titans are willing to work out an extension with Jones, which would obviously help his long-term fantasy viability by locking in his starter status.
Such an extension would also hurt the upside of his new LB teammates.
Tennessee LBs Jack Gibbens and Cedric Gray lose here. Each had some hope of working into a bigger role as soon as this season, with only the disappointing Murray in the way. Jones' arrival might mean just one full-time spot at the position.
Jones' departure from L.A. leaves Christian Rozeboom as the leading incumbent at the position. That alone makes him a late-draft option with sneaky upside for IDP drafts.
Troy Reeder and Omar Speights look like top competition for roles and playing time. We'll see whether the Rams add anything else at the position.
Check the updates to our LB rankings to see where everyone involved lands after this significant change to both units.
Jones remains the top option and shouldn't lose much ground for the move.
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