Jared Verse | Florida State 6’4” | 254 lbs 11/04/2000 (Age 23)
Jared Verse was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the third Edge Rusher and 19th overall player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Jared Verse began his career at FCS Albany in upstate New York. Believe it or not, in 2019 he redshirted as he underwent a position switch during the season from TE to DE. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Verse earned second-team All-Coastal Athletic Association and CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after leading his team with 10 TFLs and four sacks in just four regular season games. In 2021 Jared earned First-team All-Coastal Athletic Association honors and again led his team with 11.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks after starting all 11 games for his team. He posted 52 tackles, a PBU, and a forced fumble as well.
Verse transferred to Florida State before the 2022 season and earned First-team All-ACC honors in his first season. He led the team with 16.5 TFLs and 9.0 sacks, while also compiling 47 tackles after playing in 12 games with nine starts. During his senior campaign, Verse earned Second-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-ACC honors. He led the Seminoles with 9.0 sacks and 12.5 TFLs. He started all 13 games and posted 41 tackles, 3 PBUs, a blocked kick, and a forced fumble.
FILM
Scouts who have seen Verse in person say he is a good-looking kid with strength and athletic ability. He runs well, plays hard, and has impressive tools. However, there is some concern about stiffness and lack of ceiling. Nonetheless, there is no arguing that Jared Verse is an immensely talented edge defender with the field demeanor, athleticism, and skill set to rack up the stats in the money categories early in his NFL career.
Verse dominated at Albany and then showed the ability to do the same at Florida State. It is worth noting that he collected 6.5 of his sacks against some weaker offensive lines in Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Florida in his senior season. Still, Verse is twitchy and compact, with explosiveness featured at the point of attack. He has a high football IQ and great field awareness. Verse can diagnose plays quickly and avoid getting locked up by offensive linemen. He also has great strength and has shown an excellent bull rush when needed. Verse can play in any stance and should be viewed as a safe pick for instant production in any scheme, though the ceiling may be capped.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Jared Verse recorded a 4.58 40-yard dash with a 1.60-second 10-yard split. He put up a very impressive 31 bench press reps. Verse had an nice 20-yard shuttle time of 4.44. His broad and vertical jumps were outstanding, at 10’7” and 35” respectively. He also ran the three-cone drill in 7.31 and performed all of the positional drills. My favorite thing about Verse is he participated in everything and did not hold back or shy away from anything.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Excellent
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Good
Verse was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Jared Verse lands inside the top 20 as most analysts had projected and joins a Los Angeles Rams teams that is undergoing a unique transition. While it was widely known that Aaron Donald was considering retirement, very few players actually retire while they are still in their prime and dominating at the NFL level. The Rams have some young pieces in place on the defensive line in Byron Young and Kobie Turner, however, who knows how much of their rookie success can be attributed to the presence of Donald. Verse is a high IQ player with dominant size and presence, who can play like a veteran, which is what the Rams will surely need now.
There is also a small chance that Aaron Donald will change his mind and come back for another season or two (considering he was set to make $18 million in 2024). If that happens, it makes Verse much more valuable in the near future. Verse checks in as the #3 overall DE in this year’s rookie class and should be selected somewhere in the third round of dynasty IDP rookie drafts.
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