Selecting Elite Edge Rusher Jared Verse in the First Round Would be a No-Brainer for the LA Rams

Scouting Reports on Jared Verse

Per Bleacher Report:

“After … Jared Verse transferred to Florida State [from FCS Albany,] … [he] made a name for himself[.] … [H]e could have been a first-round pick in last year’s class. Instead, he returned to Tallahassee and could be the first defensive lineman selected in April.

“Part of what makes Verse such a coveted prospect is his blend of strength and athleticism. He can put offensive tackles on their heels with his ability to turn speed to power as a pass-rusher, and he has good use of hands paired with the bend to win around the edge using finesse moves like a cross chop or arm over.

“[He] is also a plus run defender with his physicality at the point of attack and ability to get off blocks. He has pop in his hands to stand up offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage and gain a leverage advantage, making him hard to move one-on-one and block with tight ends.”

Pro Football Network notes that Verse is “a contender to be the top prospect at his position in the 2024 NFL Draft[,]” and offers a glowing review of his performance at the NFL Combine:

Verse has the production at the highest level, and at the NFL Combine, he verified his athleticism and strength as well — logging a 4.58 40-yard dash with a 1.6 10-yard split, a 35″ vertical, a 10’7″ broad jump, and 31 bench reps.

Landing Spots for Verse in a Sampling of Mock Drafts

In two mock drafts conducted on March 18, 2024, Verse is selected by the Rams with the No. 19 pick. One of those mock drafts was conducted by Ramblin’ Fan. The other was conducted by Rams Wire.

This may be wishful thinking on the part of pro-Rams media outlets. Others forecast Verse coming off the board before the No. 19 pick comes up.

Mel Kiper, Jr. predicts the Minnesota Vikings will take Verse with the No. 11 overall pick.

NFL.com forecasts Verse going to the Denver Broncos with the No. 12 overall pick.

Verse Would Be a Good Fit in the Rams Defense, and Although He Is Not a Replacement of Aaron Donald, He Could Help Ameliorate the Loss

If Verse is available when the Rams’ selection comes up at spot 19, it seems to be a no-brainer that he should be the pick.

Per Ramblin’ Fan:

“With the team searching for young and passionate pass rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft, the first step towards that goal is to select Jared Verse, edge rusher, out of Florida State. On some draft boards, Verse is a Top-10 prospect. On others, merely a Day 1 prospect. But on all draft boards, he is a passionate and formidable pass rusher who is more likely than not to get to opposing quarterbacks.

“Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 258 pounds, he is the runner-up to UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, and he may push past Latu on some boards. Because the 2024 NFL Draft is headlined by quarterbacks, offensive tackles, wide receivers, defensive backs, and even a tight end, edge rushers may not come off the board as early as some positions.

“All of which plays right into the LA Rams hand.”

Some push back against Ramblin’ Fan is in order for suggesting Latu as a preferable option over Verse. ESPN rates Verse as the second best defender in the entire draft class, behind only Alabama’s Dallas Turner.

Per Rams Wire:

“It’d be hard for the Rams to land a better prospect than Verse in the first round. He’s one of the top edge rushers in the 2024 class and has an incredible ability to convert speed to power on the outside, which allows him to collapse the pocket and disrupt the opposing offense.

“While Verse isn’t a defensive tackle, simply adding a dynamic pass rusher would help the defense as a whole in a big way.”

Rams fans are undoubtedly keeping their fingers crossed, hoping Verse is still available at spot 19.

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