Brock Bowers, who Rams were also connected to during draft, ranked #1 in PFF’s list
Pro Football Focus (PFF) made a list of the best 15 NFL rookies on the season so far, and Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams not only was included but cracked the top five. Verse was LA’s only first round pick since the team selected Jared Goff number one overall in 2016.
#4. Jared Verse, EDGE
PFF Grade: 82.8
Verse had been threatening to have the breakout game he had on Thursday Night Football but hadn’t been able to consistently finish to increase his sack total. The win over the Vikings saw him avoid missing any tackles for only the third time in seven games, and he has now registered three sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 19 hurries.
Another Rams rookie was notably absent
A relative surprise was the fact PFF did not include DE Braden Fiske in their list of top rookies. Fiske ranks second to only Verse (32) in total pressures with 21. It’s also noteworthy that the Rams have already had their bye week.
Fiske trending ahead of Aaron Donald in first seven NFL games
Legendary Rams defender Aaron Donald accumulated just 14 pressures in his first seven games in the National Football League, meanwhile Fiske has 50% more.
There’s nuance needed for full analysis, of course. Jeff Fisher slow-walked Donald’s start to his career as he was more of a rotational player than a starter on day one. Times have also changed greatly in the NFL since 2014. Teams throw the ball more often now and Donald’s presence helped make interior pass rushers more impactful and valued.
LA has connections to the #1 rookie
Brock Bowers was listed first on PFF’s list of best rookies.
The Rams were connected to Bowers during the NFL Draft and rumors were rampant that LA could trade up for the tight end. Ultimately, Bowers was taken 13th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
His production his first eight games would even be outstanding for a top rookie receiver:
Week 1 at Chargers: 6 catches, 58 yards
Week 2 at Ravens: 9 catches, 98 yards
Week 3 vs Panthers: 3 catches, 41 yards
Week 4 vs Browns: 2 catches 19 yards, 1 rush for 12 yards
Week 5 at Broncos: 8 catches, 97 yards, 1 TD
Week 6 vs Steelers: 9 catches, 71 yards
Week 7 at Rams: 10 catches, 93 yards
Week 8 vs Chiefs: 5 catches, 58 yards
TOTAL: 52 catches for 535 yards, 12 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
