LA Rams rookie OLB Jared Verse is already putting up veteran numbers

While he may be the first rookie selected by the Los Angeles Rams in Round 1 of the NFL Draft since the team selected QB Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the role of outside linebacker Jared Verse is quite a different matter for the team altogether. He is not tasked with leading the offense, the defense, or even special teams. Jared Verse is simply the player who completes the 'set' on the team's defensive front in so many ways.

When he was selected in Round 1, followed by his Seminoles teammate DT Braden Fiske in Round 2, the front office completed the addition of one of the most effective and competing defensive front tandems in college football. When he was added to the Rams roster, he completed the outside linebacker set with teammate Byron Young, combining his mountain-moving power with the swift elusiveness and speed of Young to become an indomitable pincer that will bring down opposing quarterbacks effectively.

But when he lines up next to defensive tackle Kobie Turner, he adds a trash-talker to line up next to the team's best defensive line performer. Jared Verse is a resonator of vocal taunts and chides, a lightning rod to take some of the heat off the shoulders of the young man with already oh-so-much on his plate.

And when the football is snapped, everything hoped for comes to fruition. Yes, Rams fans, Jared Verse is THAT good.

Rookie Jared Verse putting up veteran numbers

It's easy to take a quick look at the Week 1 box score and see that rookie OLB Jared Verse has a sack against the Detroit Lions. And if you examine the entire stats for that game, you will note that only teammate OLB Byron Young recorded a QB sack. But let's not be too critical just yet. In many projections, the Rams were facing the best offensive line in the NFL. And in Week 1, they were at full strength.

But now that we have the proper framework for that Week 1 performance, let's dive deeper into the numbers. Jared Verse had six quarterback pressures in Week 1, and that was against the best offensive line in the NFL:

To place that into proper perspective, he was just as effective as Detroit Lions' star pass rusher Aidan Hutchison, an edge rusher who faced second and third string offensive tackles in Week 1.

In his debut, Jared Verse recorded four tackles, one quarterback sack, six quarterback pressures, and one tackle for a loss.

Hey, it's just one game. I get that. I am not sounding the trumpets and declaring DROY honors just yet. But Verse is proving that the Rams shopped quite wisely. Whether the team's first or final Round 1 option, Jared Verse is starting the 2024 NFL season on fire, and it's a safe bet that he will only get better as the season rolls along.

While the offense must heal and get some players back onto the football field, look for strong support from this Rams defense. They had a solid performance against a powerhouse offense in the Detroit Lions. I think they will only get stronger from there.

As always, thanks for reading.