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Every season, breakout players from each team emerge and play a huge part in their squad's success. The Los Angeles Rams know this well, as they relied on several X-factor players to propel them to a Super Bowl victory. Wide receiver Cooper Kupp turned into one of the best offensive players in the NFL. His breakout helped transform the Rams into one of the deadliest passing offenses in football. Center Brian Allen and guard David Edwards both played elite football totally unexpectedly, giving Los Angeles elite offensive line play at a low price tag. There are certain to be more breakouts for the Rams in 2022, but none will be as big as linebacker Ernest Jones.
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Rams X-Factor To Emerge In 2022 NFL Season
Ernest Jones
Jones entered the 2021 season as a rookie third-round pick. Many draft analysts had him pegged as a career backup or a core special teamer. Very few expected him to crack the starting lineup as a rookie, and even fewer expected him to play well in a starting role. Jones wasted no time in proving all of them wrong. He started seven games in the regular season because of injury, and also played 93 percent of the defensive snaps in the Super Bowl.
Ernest Jones was so good in the playoffs 😍 pic.twitter.com/iysReeGbke
— Bro Lee (@UnleashedBroly) June 13, 2022
Through seven starts, Jones managed to put up 61 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions. He only missed 6 percent of tackles he attempted, one of the better numbers in the league. The South Carolina product was also a revelation in coverage. He only allowed one touchdown while consistently drawing tough coverage assignments. All of these numbers were earned by a rookie third-round pick. It's clear that Jones will only get better, especially when you consider the personnel upgrades around him.
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In 2021, Jones had to start alongside a number of mediocre linebackers. Troy Reeder was his usual running mate, with Travin Howard making an occasional appearance. Reeder was one of the worst linebackers in the NFL, consistently blowing his assignments in the run and pass game. Howard, an un-drafted free agent, performed admirably, but he wasn't anything special.
Now Jones will have the opportunity to play with Bobby Wagner. Wagner is obviously one of the best linebackers of his generation, and he should make Jones's life much easier. Wagner will be the one that takes on the majority of blocks, allowing Jones to flow freely to the football. Learning under the Seattle Seahawks legend will also help Jones, who's only 22, grow at an exponential rate.
Ernest Jones thinks playing with Bobby Wagner will take his game to the next level. https://t.co/AWiSZlfd2A
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 13, 2022
The injuries that marred Jones' rookie year shouldn't be a problem in 2022. He dealt with a high ankle sprain late in the year that prevented him from starting in the Wild Card and the Divisional round. With a full offseason to recover, the expectation is that Jones will be healthy. That will allow for a massive uptick in statistical production, as well as making it easier for Jones to develop. He played good, solid football as a third-round rookie. There's no reason to think Jones won't improve when he's healthier, more practiced, and in a better overall situation. Jones will have one of the bigger breakouts in football, and it will be huge for the Los Angeles defense.
