Baldy's Breakdowns raves about Seminoles package-deal on Rams defense

In the NFL, even the most elite players get by with a little help from their friends. As such, the LA Rams strategized more than selecting individual rookie prospects during the 2024 NFL Draft. Rather, the team sought to capitalize on that magical team chemistry to ensure that their defense would get a jump start for the 2024 NFL season.

Of course, the selection of a pair of defensive front players from the same college football program is itself a rather limiting aspect. After all, how many colleges truly boasted two defenders on their defensive front who both held outstanding chances to succeed at the next level? When I did my informal research, I found:

1. Florida State Seminoles OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske
2. Penn State Nittany Lions OLBs Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac
3. Alabama Crimson Tide OLB Dallas Turner and DT Justin Eboigbe
4. UCLA Bruins OLBs Laiatu Latu and Gabriel Murphy
5. Texas Longhorns DTs Byron Murphy II and T'Vondre Sweat

Of the group, the most highly regarded pair came down to the two defenders from the Florida State Seminoles and the two defensive linemen from the Texas Longhorns. But defensive tackle Byron Murphy II was selected by the Seattle Seahawks before the Rams ever had a chance to step up to the podium, which eliminated any chance for the team to double dip from that defense.

But let's not give anyone the wrong impression that the Rams had to settle for some version of consolation prize in this draft. On many draft boards, OLB Jared Verse was the top-rated edge rusher for multiple reasons. He was the complete package in terms of possessing all of the traits for the role at the NFL level. He was physically intimidating, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 254 pounds. And he had a passionate perspective about the game.

In fact, Rams Head Coach Sean McVay proclaimed adding both Jared Verse and Braden Fiske in the 2024 NFL Draft a 'dream scenario.' Curiously, he made that statement long before the Rams traded up to select Braden Fiske.

Best of all, there were no huge medical flags that could limit his NFL career.

His teammate, DT Braden Fiske was projected as a Round 1-2 tweener. He was also incredibly powerful and productive as well and maintained a huge physical presence on the Seminoles' defensive front. Best of all, he was a passionate player who would often meet Verse and study videos before his coaches or teammates would arrive in the morning.

Both Jared Verse and Braden Fiske excelled for the Seminoles. But, could they import that same magical connection in the NFL?