In the hours prior to the start of the 2024 NFL Draft a rumor began circulating that the Los Angeles Rams were actively working the phones trying to hammer out a trade to acquire a top 10 pick. Sources had stated that there was a player slated to go early in the draft that Rams coach Sean McVay was absolutely in love with. Those sources believed that the player in question was an offensive player, but was not supposed to be one of the top rated quarterback prospects. Many believed that the player the Rams were targeting may have been Washington receiver Rome Odunze, whom the team had met with in person during the scouting combine.
As the draft begin to unwind there was an unprecedented run on offensive players, including Odunze and a whopping six quarterbacks. It became apparent very quickly that the top defensive players available were starting to slip down the board and teams like the Rams who were slated to pick at 19, would be able to land a top talent without having to pull the trigger on a trade. So the patiently waited their turn and let the draft play out ahead of them, which turned out to be a wise move because by doing so the highest rated defensive player fell right into their lap.
According to NFL.com Florida State Edge Rusher Jared Verse was ranked as their six best prospect in the entire draft and their top rated defensive player. Verse could have easily been selected in the top 10, which may have been why the Rams were attempting to trade up in the first place. Yet, the team was able to land him at 19.
Jared Verse instantly fills a position of need for the Rams who lost one of the greatest defensive players of all-time in Aaron Donald this off season. Though Verse doesn't play the same position as Donald, he will add the type of pass rush help the team will need to be able to generate in his absence.
What Verse brings to the table jumps off the tape. He is a explosive pass rusher who uses speed and strength to overpower offensive linemen and attack opposing passers. He is a disruptive force who lives in opposing backfields. If he isn't rushing the passer, he is gobbling up ball carriers for lost yardage. It is easy to see why NFL scouts had him ranked in the top ten.
Verse joins a young, but talented Rams defense that already features Edge Rusher Bryon Young and Tackle Kobie Turner who tied Aaron Donald's rookie sack record last season.
From NFL.com:
Talented edge defender with the field demeanor, athleticism and skill set to rack up statistics in key categories fairly early in his NFL career. Verse dominated at Albany and then showed an ability to do the same at Florida State. He’s twitchy and compact, with explosiveness featured at the point of attack and in his upfield burst as a pass rusher. He’s great with his hands and does a nice job of diagnosing plays quickly and staying out of the clinches of offensive linemen looking to snatch him up. Verse's ability to threaten the edge only bolsters his hellish speed-to-power bull-rushing ability to run tackles deep into the pocket. He can play up or down and should be in consideration for all defensive schemes looking to add a safe, high-impact edge.
Strengths
Thrives with winning first step and unstoppable energy.
Quick to close distance and mitigate his length disadvantage.
Controls bigger blockers at the point with leverage, hands and power.
Instincts allow for rapid diagnosis and attack of play development.
Advanced GPS into the pocket, with multiple available rush routes.
Uses sudden, combative hand work to beat the punch and grease the edge.
Bend and strength to corner tightly to passer at efficient angles.
Instantly converts his twitchy get-off into a menacing bull rush.
Welcome to the Rams Jared Verse!
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