Los Angeles Rams’ EDGE Jared Verse has been probably the most spectacular defensive rookie within the NFL, and I’m unsure if it’s shut. His 20% Go Rush win charge has him tied with Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt, regardless of being doubled 25% of the time. He’s eleventh in complete pressures in all the league as a rookie, and amongst all gamers with at the very least 15 pressures this season, he’s sixth in Stress Fee. He’s helped elevate a Rams cross rush that was wanting like it might miss Aaron Donald (and it nonetheless does), whereas showcasing a number of the issues that made him my tope EDGE within the 2024 NFL Draft Class.
One among my favourite issues about Verse is his means to switch velocity to energy. He’s an explosive participant, however not explosive within the flexible method, the place he’s dipping and turning across the nook. His explosion is energy by an offensive sort out, utilizing his size and burst to trigger issues. In opposition to Seattle this was evident, continuously producing stress and turning that stress into sacks for himself and his teammates.
He’s lined up throughout from Seahawks’ LT Charles Cross, who is superb. He sort of slips out of his stance, however it doesn’t matter as a result of watch the power he generates proper right here. He walks Cross again and forces an errant throw by QB Geno Smith. Appears fairly good to me.
His velocity to energy helped generate one other sack for teammate Byron Younger as effectively. He units up the fitting sort out with a stutter step, freezing the sort out in his tracks. Then, he leans ahead and places each palms in his chest, strolling him again like a blocking sled. Smith is compelled to step up and Younger finishes it with a sack. Verse’s velocity to energy is already wanting deadly.
The Seahawks understand how a lot of a risk he’s, and on his sack he was doubled by Cross and a RB on play motion. He knocks Cross again into the RB, losing Cross and placing him on the bottom. Then, he swims by Charbonnet and earlier than you recognize it, Verse is on high of Geno Smith right away. He’s the straw the stirs the drink for the Rams’ cross rush, which has quietly been probably the most spectacular a part of that protection.
The Rams are nonetheless within the thick of the NFC playoff race, and already maintain a win over the 49ers, Vikings and Seahawks. Their means to generate cross rush, mixed with the final heroics of QB Matthew Stafford and co. on offense make them a harmful group in the event that they get to the postseason. It’s the identical components that they had final yr, however as a substitute of Aaron Donald main the cost, it’s Verse.
The Rams have a date with the Miami Dolphins on Monday evening, and also you higher imagine all eyes will likely be on Verse when Miami has the ball.
