Jared Verse already showing he’s among NFL’s best edge rushers

Jared Verse has made an early impact in his career with the Rams

When former Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald retired during this past offseason, it was critical that the team find a pass rusher to replace him. While replacing Donald was always going to be an impossible task, finding a threat that the offense needed to respect was always the end goal.

Through the first three weeks of the NFL season, it seems as if the Rams have found that in first round edge rusher Jared Verse. After going free agency without signing an edge rusher, addressing the position in the draft was a must. There was also some speculation that the Rams may attempt to trade for Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. However, Burns went to the New York Giants and just went a full game without recording a single pressure.

With the first 14 picks all going to the offensive side of the ball, the Florida State edge rusher fell to the Rams at 19. There may have been some internal debate on whether to take Verse or Chop Robinson, but the Rams landed on Verse and the move has paid early dividends.

Again, it is very early in the season, but the early returns have paid-off when it comes to Verse. The rookie current ranks sixth in pass-rush win rate among edge rushers via ESPN Analytics and Pro Football Focus has him ranked fourth at 22.8 percent in pass rush win percentage. In both measurements, Verse leads all rookies and is up there with some of the elite pass rusher in the NFL such as Myles Garrett and Will Anderson.

ESPN Analytics

That doesn’t mention that Verse also ranks 14th in pressures and 15th in quarterback pressure rate which also leads rookie edge rushers. This season, PFF has Verse credited with 13 with the next closest rookie being Laiatu Latu with six. To put that in perspective, rookie edge rushers have been credited with 31 pressures in 2024 by PFF. In other words, 41.9 percent of pressures from rookie edge rushers this season have come via Jared Verse. It should come as no surprise then that Verse is the favorite at +225 to win defensive rookie of the year.

There is something to be said about Verse’s ability to finish, but the results will come. It’s important to look at the process over the results. Sacks can be random and right now, the important thing is that Verse is winning and doing so the right way with his pass rush move arsenal rather than free opportunities being schemed up for him. Said defensive coordinator Chris Shula,

“Part of it’s good because they have been disruptive and causing havoc and that’s always a good thing in the backfield. Now, we just need to stress finishing plays and putting yourself in those positions in practice.”

Verse should have another opportunity this Sunday to impress against a Chicago Bears offensive line that has struggled through the early part of the season. Two weeks ago, the Houston Texans had 36 pressures and seven sacks when they played the Bears. Sunday gives opportunity for a breakout performance for the rookie.

At the very least, the Rams can be pleased with what they have at edge rusher this season. Byron Young impacted the game in a positive way last week with a strip sack and Verse’s time is certainly coming. While the Rams could have tried to force the issue and overpaid for an edge rusher in free agency or the trade market, the front office remained patient. Through the first few weeks of the season, Verse has been the best rookie defender in the NFL and is on his way to being the new face of the Rams defense.