The Los Angeles Rams concluded Day 2 by selecting South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones with the 103rd pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jones emerged as a team captain for the Gamecocks last season and followed it up by leading the team in tackles for the second consecutive year with 86 total. His season was highlighted by a 19-tackle performance against LSU that was followed up by an 18-tackle outing versus Ole Miss en route to being named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation’s top linebacker.
Jones’ responsibilities as a vocal leader backed by his overall productivity make him an intriguing pickup for the Rams. He could be set to etch out an immediate role for himself alongside Kenny Young and Micah Kiser as a rookie.
Although the Rams may have boasted the No. 1-ranked defense in the league last season, they still had notable voids to fill in their linebacker corps leading up to the draft. After all, this middle of the defense had emerged as a major Achilles heel for this group down the stretch.
The Rams already had a late start to the draft as it was since they were once again without a first-round pick. They used their second-round pick to take Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell in an effort to shore up some more firepower on offense.
While L.A. initially went into the draft with the No. 88 overall pick, they opted to trade back with the San Francisco 49ers in an effort to secure more picks. The 49ers wound up taking Ohio State running back Trey Sermon while general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay now have three fourth-round picks to work with on Day 3.
Aside from the trio of fourth-rounders, the Rams also have a pair of sixth-round picks left to help fill the remaining holes on the roster.
