No one can replace the dominance of Aaron Donald, but rookie outside linebacker Jared Verse is adding a new dynamic to the Los Angeles Rams pass rush.
Selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Florida State product was highly touted as one of the top pass rush prospects entering the draft. With the dominate performance he put forth in his last season at FSU, anyone watching Verse’s game could see way.
A first-team All-ACC selection, Verse led the team with 9.0 sacks in both 2022 and 2023. As an edge defender, his athleticism and speed along with his strength make him an explosive player off the edge who when he fell to No. 19, gave the Rams a gift and he is proving to be a gift in his first year in the NFL.
With 2.5 sacks so far this season, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound rookie is finding his way in the NFL and has already become an impact player. In the Rams’ 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night, it was Verse’s clutch defensive plays that helped his defense keep Sam Darnold and the Vikings defense from taking off. In the first half, Verse sacked Darnold for a 10-yard loss and late in the fourth quarter, Verse teamed up with fellow linebacker Michael Hecht for a split sack on Darnold.
Jared Verse has confidence in his game
Known for his motor, his effort on both sacks really shows what kind of force he already is and what he will grow into at the NFL level. Basically, Verse knows he can bring it on defense and warned opposing offensive lines as to what they will have to deal with when going up against him.
“The way I play, I’mma wear you out, “Verse told the team’s official website following the game. “If you’re not fast enough, I’m going to run around you. If you are fast enough, you’re not strong enough, so I’mma run through you. I’mma wear you out as the game goes on.”
That energy and confidence is reminding teammates and fans of Donald, especially Byron Young who played alongside the Rams legendary defender. Again, no one is going to fill the shoes left by a player like Donald, but Verse’s approach to the game and the way he pays attention to the details of the game is giving a player like Young the excitement and heightened motivation to get after the quarterback like his new teammate is.
"His energy and the way he get to the quarterback every snap, it's unbelievable," Young said. "I've never seen nothing like it. I mean, other than AD (Aaron Donald), but a rookie coming and doing all that, and then just being a leader on the defense at a young age – I look up to him, too, you know? It's amazing. It gives me juice."
As the NFL hits midseason, the challenge for Verse is to be able to keep it up for a full season. As the Rams continue to get healthy, leading a young defense could be key to turning the season completely around and, in the process, give the Rams their next dominant pass rusher.