Los Angeles Rams’ EDGE Jared Verse has been essentially the most spectacular defensive rookie within the NFL, and I’m undecided if it’s shut. His 20% Move Rush win fee has him tied with Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt, regardless of being doubled 25% of the time. He’s eleventh in whole pressures in the whole league as a rookie, and amongst all gamers with not less than 15 pressures this season, he’s sixth in Stress Price. He’s helped elevate a Rams go rush that was trying like it could 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.
Considered one of my favourite issues about Verse is his skill 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 means of an offensive sort out, utilizing his size and burst to trigger issues. Towards Seattle this was evident, continually 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 excellent. He form of slips out of his stance, however it doesn’t matter as a result of watch the pressure 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 properly. He units up the appropriate sort out with a stutter step, freezing the sort out in his tracks. Then, he leans ahead and places each fingers in his chest, strolling him again like a blocking sled. Smith is pressured to step up and Younger finishes it with a sack. Verse’s velocity to energy is already trying deadly.
The Seahawks know the way a lot of a menace 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 understand it, Verse is on prime of Geno Smith instantly. He’s the straw the stirs the drink for the Rams’ go rush, which has quietly been essentially 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 skill to generate go rush, mixed with the overall heroics of QB Matthew Stafford and co. on offense make them a harmful workforce in the event that they get to the postseason. It’s the identical system they’d 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 night time, and also you higher consider all eyes shall be on Verse when Miami has the ball.
