Here's what it would cost the Rams if they decide to give linebacker Ernest Jones a contract extension

The Los Angeles Rams have set the gold standard for creative roster building since Les Snead and Sean McVay were paired together in 2017. They have used their first round picks as trade assets to fill positions of need with high-impact veterans, and restock their draft capital coffers by letting players walk in free agency and stacking compensatory picks.

Ernest Jones is one of many examples of players Les Snead has drafted with a compensatory pick that has become a key contributor for the Rams. He earned himself a starting role halfway through his rookie season, and while he wasn’t a liability early, his improvement each year has been remarkable. In his third season playing for the Rams, he stepped in for the departed Bobby Wagner, wearing the green dot for the defense and earning PFF’s 7th highest grade for starting linebackers.

The biggest improvement in his game came in his work on passing downs. He posted sub-10% missed tackle rates in his first two seasons and broke 100 tackles in 2022, but only combined for 13 total pressures and 3 PBU’s in those years. He also allowed a combined 76 receptions on 92 targets for a completion percentage of 82.6%. However, in 2023 he progressed significantly, earning 33 total pressures including five sacks and lowered his allowed completion percentage to 74% with four PBU’s.

That well-rounded improvement in the passing game, both in rushing the passer and in coverage, will go a long way in securing Jones a lucrative extension. Pair that versatility with his exceptional run-stuffing ability and reliable tackling, and you have a foundational piece at the center of our defense. His coverage won’t get him in the first tier of linebacker contracts that feature prolific coverage backers, but he’s likely to find himself at the top of the next tier.