NFL was able to look past Jared Verse’s low sack total and reward him for dominant play
Jared Verse winning Defensive Rookie of the Year at NFL Honors demonstrates:
(1) The league and media value analytics more than ever, and
(2) Sacks have become a rightfully devalued statistic
Verse was dominant all season long for the Los Angeles Rams. He accumulated 89 pressures (including playoffs), which prior to the Super Bowl is the highest total in the NFL. If you were to judge him solely by his 4.5 sacks, you’d assume he didn’t have much of an impact as a rookie.
On the other hand Braden Fiske led all rookies with 8.5 sacks. While Fiske also was a finalist for the DROY award, his play was not overall as well-rounded as his Rams rookie counterpart. Fiske struggled in run defense and finished 73rd of 79 amongst his peers on the defensive interior; meanwhile, Verse ranked 7th of all EDGE defenders (using a 50% snap count filter & according to Pro Football Focus).
This isn’t to discount Fiske’s impressive rookie contributions, it’s more to say that the Rams have a truly elite EDGE in Verse.
Those who don’t know ball are telling on themselves
Individuals who are focused on outcomes (sacks) instead of process (pressures, pass rush win rate) took to social media platform X to show the world they are still stuck in the old ways. Don’t listen to them. They are telling on themselves and showing they don’t understand how to evaluate pass rush production in the modern NFL.
Don’t be like these people:
It’s wild that people want to prove they don’t know what they’re even talking about. They’re happy to do it. Voluntarily. https://t.co/FujwZMBiBj
— Bukayo Saka Liker (@3k_) February 7, 2025
Can someone explain to me like I’m 5 years old why Jared Verse is a heavy favorite for DROY and not his teammate Braden Fiske? Fiske had 8.5 sacks and Verse had 4.5. Remember, it’s a regular season award.
— Ryan Ayscue (@RyanAyscue1) January 19, 2025
Jared Verse had too good of a postseason. Only 4.5 sacks in regular season
— SportsChasers (@FollowYourShots) February 7, 2025
Jared Verse winning rookie of the year with 4.5 sacks a year let’s be serious now…… #NFL
— Vinny (@C4LordGodly) February 7, 2025
Jared Verse getting DROTY with 4.5 sacks while Boye Mafe had 3.5 sacks his rookie yearpic.twitter.com/gy6nEH2xu5 https://t.co/drRuFAE4Ic
— ᴅᴏxx ⚡️ (@new_era72) February 7, 2025
Let’s get off the Jared Verse hype train and start supporting our shutdown corner for DROY.
4.5 sacks for Verse this year. Whoopee. Overrated
— Bubble scream (@Loslocoskickyo) January 21, 2025
Jared verse literally had 4.5 sacks this year
— Miller (@mmiller1116) January 21, 2025
all this Jared verse hype dude had 4.5 sacks ? lol
— Mitch (@CommanderMitch) January 10, 2025
Jared verse being a lock for DROTY with 4.5 sacks is hilarious considering Quinyon has strapped elite WRs all year and has 2 bad games going against a lot of good WRs this year
— Ürgus Ürgenflurger (@JakeKerchner55) January 7, 2025
Yeah and Jared Verse and his 4.5 sacks don’t belong there either so just relax
— Dick Warlock (@DTyler6033) January 3, 2025
I mean Jared Verse has 4.5 sacks on the year which isn’t even top 50 in the league but you’re bringing up Jayden’s numbers? Lol okay dude
— Skins4life (@Skins4lyfe1) January 2, 2025
Jared Verse really made the Pro Bowl with 4.5 sacks…. https://t.co/ZZr7G0DxNe pic.twitter.com/6uGdBxyzhM
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) January 2, 2025
Saying Jared Verse is the best in class by far is a reach pal. He has 4.5 sacks.
— Steve (@Steve9471614177) December 30, 2024
