3 Titans who benefit the most from Ernest Jones IV trade

Hours after trading DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans doubled-down on rebuilding by dealing linebacker Ernest Jones IV as well. Jones is headed to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for fellow linebacker Jerome Baker and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. His departure creates a sizable hole in Dennard Wilson's defense.

Jones had been starting at off-ball linebacker next to Kenneth Murray. At the time of his departure, the former South Carolina standout ranked second on the defense in tackles with 44, trailing just Murray (46) for the team lead. Several Titans defenders will benefit from Jones' exit. We've identified three in particular.

Cedric Gray, LB

The Titans drafted Cedric Gray in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Given the Titans' needs at linebacker at the time, many expected him to be a day-one starter in Wilson's defense. Gray ended up missing the majority of the offseason with an injury, sidelining him for all three preseason contests, and the Titans went on to acquire Jones in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams after finalizing their initial 53-man roster.

Gray is finally nearing a return from that injury, head coach Brian Callahan recently said. There's competition for snaps opposite Murray, with the newly-acquired Baker and Jack Gibbens in-house favorites to support Murray against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Whenever Gray is activated, the rebuilding Titans must figure out whether or not he's a potential 2025 starter.

Kenneth Murray, LB

Murray was already a starter, and the Jones trade leaves his 2024 role unaffected. However, Murray's standing with the organization moving into 2025 could have been positively altered. The former first-round selection is signed through next season, but the Titans could create $7.5 million in additional financial flexibility by releasing him, according to OverTheCap. General manager Ran Carthon is less likely to exercise that right now that Jones, who was on an expiring deal, won't be retained.

The Titans are now extremely young at the position, with the likes of Gray and other inexperienced options under contract and battling for future roles. Murray is, by a longshot, the most proven defender in the room sans Jones. He offers the Titans continuity at the position moving forward.

James Williams, LB

The Titans drafted safety-turned-linebacker James Williams in the seventh round because he possesses an explosive, but albeit raw, skill-set. Williams has been inactive for several games this season as a result. He's played zero defensive snaps, and 36 on special teams.

Williams may still face difficulty getting an active game-day designation. Baker essentially replaces Jones to make up the numbers at linebacker. But the further Tennessee's season gets into wasted year territory, the more encouraged the coaching staff should feel to get an extended look at Williams' development.