What does Ernest Jones IV bring to Seahawks defense?
The Seattle Seahawks acquired linebacker Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday in exchange for Jerome Baker and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jones will immediately step into Seattle's starting lineup opposite Tyrel Dodson. He brings aggression and violence to Mike Macdonald's defense.
Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde have largely been displeased with the outputs of their run defense this season. Entering Sunday's Week 8 matchup with the Buffalo Bills, Seattle is allowing a 28th-ranked 146.1 rushing yards per contest. Macdonald has routinely criticized the linebackers for missing tackles and playing with poor gap discipline.
Jones could help solve Seattle's issues. The former South Carolina standout ranked second on the Titans in tackles (44) at the time of his departure. That will also rank second on the Seahawks, with Dodson and Julian Love (55) tied for the team-lead mark.
Jones is a downhill linebacker with outstanding read-and-react ability. Pro Football Focus has assigned him a stellar grade of 68.4 as a run defender this season. That's notably higher than what Baker (62.6) and Dodson (54.0) have earned this season.
Jones has also been credited with 19 total stops. Jones has missed three tackles, which equals Dodson's missed-tackle total to date, but is notably lower than Baker's (6). That alone could help improve Seattle's run defense.
If there's one area of Jones' game that requires improving, it's coverage. He's been credited with allowing 12 receptions on 14 targets this season for 151 yards and a passer rating allowed of 111.6, en route to a coverage score of 54.0. The Seahawks will likely continue using Dodson as their main coverage 'backer, as he's performed significantly better in man and zone situations, allowing 14 catches on 20 targets for 141 yards, and a passer rating of 89.8.
Jones is an excellent linebacker. The Seahawks were awfully familiar with him from his Los Angeles Rams & NFC West days. Jones is a big-time upgrade for Macdonald's defense.
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This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: What does Ernest Jones IV bring to Seahawks defense?
