The Athletic’s Dane Brugler puts Jared Verse and Braden Fiske on his midseason all-rookie team
The Los Angeles Rams 2024 rookie class is already being considered among the best just eight games into the season. Once again, general manager Les Snead has gotten fantastic early return value on rookie players who are playing big roles within the team.
As Justin Melo of The Draft Network said, “The Rams have dragged themselves out of a 1-4 hole and currently reside in second place in the division. The playoffs are well within reach. Receiving contributions from an outstanding rookie class has helped Sean McVay turn this season around.”
Now that we are at the midway point of the season, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has put together his midseason all-rookie team. Two of the Rams’ draft picks made that list. Those players of course were Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Verse was Brugler’s second-ranked edge rusher in the draft behind only Dallas Turner. Said Brugler of Verse in his midseason all-rookie team,
“There have been a couple slam-dunk picks in this exercise (Daniels, Bowers), and I would also include Verse, too…Reading through my draft scouting report for Verse, he has translated a lot of the qualities that made him so appealing as a prospect: “Verse can win with speed or power and flashes violence in his hands.” This shows up on almost every pass-rush snap. He consistently punches above his weight class, because of his high-pace, physical rushing style. “He is always around the football, because of his awareness, effort and fierce play personality.” Verse is unrelenting in his pursuit of the football. You want players who hate to be blocked, and that absolutely sums up the Florida State alum.”
Verse’s relentless play-style and hot motor early in the season led to too many missed tackles, but since the bye week, the Rams rookie has been one of the best players on the field. His bull rush may already be among the best in the NFL. He currently leads rookies in pressures and is by far the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Verse is currently -190 on FanDuel with the next closest player being Laiatu Latue at +750.
Rams EDGE Jared Verse may already have one of the better bull rushes in the NFL.
3rd-and-8 and walks Charles Cross right back into Geno Smith’s lap to force an inaccurate throw. Verse is a dude with SERIOUS power. pic.twitter.com/9GOH4jwhCm
— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) November 5, 2024
Six months after the draft and it still seems amazing that Jared Verse fell to the Rams at 19. However, it’s not just that Verse fell to the Rams, but he was somehow the third edge rusher selected.
Due to offensive talent coming off of the board early and often, defensive talent fell. This worked in the Rams favor as they needed to replenish the defense following Aaron Donald’s retirement. Much like the NFL regretted allowing Donald to fall to the Rams in 2014, they may regret the same with Verse.
The Ringer’s Diante Lee also released his midseason all-rookie team and had good things to say about the Rams rookie edge rusher. Said Lee,
“Verse is proof that searching for a prospect with a refined pass-rushing skill set is not nearly as important as simply taking swings in the draft on abnormally fast and strong players. Verse isn’t winning his matchups with meticulous hand fighting or the kinds of moves you see players working on in the offseason; he just understands how to convert his speed into power, and he rushes the passer with impressive effort.”
However, Verse wasn’t the only player that Brugler mentioned. The NFL Draft analyst also gave the top defensive line spot to Braden Fiske. Said Brugler of Fiske,
“Just like at edge rusher, a Rams rookie from Florida State is running away with the top spot. Fiske passes the eye test — you can’t watch the Rams’ defense without noticing No. 55 chasing the football. The same explosive hands and revving motor that he showed for the Seminoles last season are leading to production against NFL blocking this season.”
Fiske has by far been the best pass-rushing defensive linemen among rookies so far this season. He has 26 pressures though eight games while the next closest has 12. The Rams defensive lineman had his ‘welcome to the NFL’ game last week against the Seahawks. Fiske finished with three sack contributions and six pressures. While he had shown flashes, Sunday’s game was one in which he finally took over.
Rams DL Braden Fiske doesn’t get credit for this sack on the stat sheet, but he’s very much the reason for it.
Beats the center inside, but gets knocked off balance. Forces Geno into Tyler Davis and Michael Hoecht for the sack. pic.twitter.com/viGU1mkHxl
— Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) November 5, 2024
The Rams drafted Verse and Fiske because of their familiarity with one another, having played with each other at Florida State. While they haven’t run a lot of stunts off of each other, it’s very clear that these two players are going to be pillars on the defense at least for the next four years.
Also getting mentioned by Brugler as runner-ups and the honorable mentions section were wide receiver Jordan Whittington, Beaux Limmer, Kam Kinchens, and Jaylen McCollough.
The past two Rams draft classes have the potential to be franchise altering. In the past two draft classes, the Rams have selected:
- Jared Verse
- Braden Fiske
- Kam Kinchens
- Joshua Karty
- Jordan Whittington
- Beaux Limmer
- Steve Avila
- Byron Young
- Kobie Turner
- Puka Nacua
- Ethan Evans
…that doesn’t even mention undrafted free agents such as Jaylen McCollough or depth players that could turn into something still in Warren McClendon and Blake Corum.
There is still a lot of season to be played and a draft class should never be fully judged until at least three years later when more information is known about the players. Still, the Rams have to like what they’re seeing from the Florida State duo in Verse and Fiske.
