Will the Seahawks re-sign Jones after acquiring him via trade?
The Seattle Seahawks are fairly light on high-profile impending unrestricted free agents, but their most prominent FA is one of ESPN’s top 50 free agents heading into March.
Here’s the blurb on linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who checks in at No. 46.
Jones — who landed in Seattle after a midseason trade from the Titans — is quick to diagnose and stop the run game, as his 8.6 tackles per game ranked 12th in the NFL. Although Jones’ tape is missing the impact plays, he’s a steady second-level defender with the field awareness to track the ball and hit.
Fowler’s latest: The Seahawks could follow the Leonard Williams blueprint from last spring, reaching a new deal around the start of free agency. The belief is both sides want to keep this relationship going.
Jones was a Los Angeles Rams player prior to last August, then he was traded to the Tennessee Titans in lieu of a contract extension. When the Seahawks looked to upgrade their linebacker group, Jones was acquired from the Titans in exchange for Jerome Baker and a fourth-round pick. It took little time for Jones to establish himself as one of Seattle’s best defensive players.
The most recent update on Jones’ contract negotiations is that talks are on hold. Nothing to be worried about in January, but it’ll still be one of the big offseason storylines for Seattle over the next several weeks.
As for others on the list: former Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed is the top cornerback (and No. 4 overall) after completing his three-year deal with the New York Jets, Russell Wilson is No. 42 following his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and former Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford just missed the cut after one year with the Los Angeles Chargers. Unsurprisingly, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins is top of the list.