One bold prediction for Rams No. 19 overall pick Jared Verse in 2024 NFL season

The retirement of Aaron Donald means a new chapter for the Los Angeles Rams defense.  Will 2024 NFL Draft first round pick Jared Verse be the author of that chapter on the field?   The Florida State product has the athleticism and skillset to write his own success story in Hollywood.

With an emphasis on building that defensive line after Donald’s retirement, the Rams pounced on the opportunity to select Verse with the No. 19 overall pick in the draft.  An absolute stud in the ACC last season, Verse used his 6-foot-4, 254-pound body and speed to dominate offensive lines.  In 13 games, Verse opposed his might on opposing quarterbacks with 9.0 sacks.  He also displayed versatility with 41 total tackles and 3 passes defensed.

Although not an elite athlete as far as dropping back in coverage, the combination of power and acceleration off the ball once snapped makes him a tough defender to block.  With room for growth, the question surrounding Verse is can he be a force along the defensive line.  While Donald leaves tough shoes to fill, the Rams do have a young player who has the skills to make his own statement in L.A.

What the Los Angeles Rams could have in Jared Verse

Verse wasn’t the only Florida State defender drafted by the Rams.  In selecting Braden Fiske with the No. 39 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, L.A.’s approach is to build a young defensive line.  Verse and Fiske join Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Byron Young and Micheal Hoecht as a group of young players in the front seven capable of making some noise in the NFC West.  Obviously, Verse is the key and could be the anchor in that front seven even as a rookie.

It may not be a matter of if Verse will be a defensive star, but when?  Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has the luxury of coaching Verse and is more than enthusiastic as to his development so far in the NFL.

“He’s gotten better every single day.  You see exactly what you saw on tape at Florida State and you see him making the corrections where he needs to and understanding stuff,” Shula said, as transcribed by RamsWire.

The challenge for Verse will be adapting to a 3-4 defensive scheme in which he will have a bit of a different role.  Can he learn and elevate in that scheme? 

Bold prediction for the 2024 NFL season

In predicting Verse’s continued development in the NFL, the answer to that question will be yes.  The former Seminoles defensive star will have a slow start in the NFL, but it won’t last too long.  In fact, Fiske may be the rookie who makes more of an impact early in the 2024 NFL season, but Verse will make his statement once he finds his niche in the 3-4 scheme Schula likes to run.

Verse will account for over 30 total tackles as a rookie with 5.5 sacks.  His first sack will come in a Week 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears.  Yes, Verse will get his first NFL sack against the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and it won’t be the last time Verse and Caleb Williams meet in the backfield as their careers progress.