You won't believe these quotes from Rams Coach McVay after drafting Jared Verse

The LA Rams fooled a lot of 'draft experts' when the team opted to select Florida State Seminoles edge rusher Jared Verse in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 19th overall pick. But perhaps the team itself was fooled in the belief that Verse would never fall to them at 19. On many draft boards, Verse was projected to come off the board as early as a Top 10 pick of the draft. So why did he fall so far?

It's that mathematics enigma that we cite in each draft. With 25 prospects projected in the Top-20 of the draft, five of those players have to fall out of the Top 20 selections. NFL analyst Matt Miller cited his projection that Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft would result in the selection of:

• 4-5 quarterbacks (six were selected)
• 7-8 wide receivers (seven were selected)
• 8-9 offensive linemen (nine were selected)

The 2024 NFL Draft was particularly peculiar in that the first 14 picks were made to select offensive players. For the LA Rams and their extensive shopping list for defensive standouts, the draft could not have started any better.

I guess you're just what I needed

There is a lot to love about the way this team stepped into Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite not having selected in Round 1 since 2016, the team had the patience and finesse of a seasoned veteran. And in the end, the team did not go with dazzle, bright lights, or blockbuster trades. Instead, the team found the greatest player to fit their greatest need, outside linebacker, and pounced on the opportunity to invest in a depleted pass rush.

The defense needed an immediate and significant investment of talent. The pass rush in 2023 was not very effective, and the team suffered a significant setback in 2024 already with the retirement of All-Pro DL Aaron Donald. As if that was not enough, DE Jonah Williams, a starter for the team in 2023, left via free agency as well.

So to get back to the level of 2023, the team needed to carpet bomb the defensive front with multiple selections. The best way to accomplish that was to select an outside linebacker in Round 1, so that is what the team did.

How does HC Sean McVay feel about that first selection?

The real opinion that matters over this team's draft class, and particularly the first-round pick, is that of LA Rams HC Sean McVay. We can give the thumbs up of approval, but it's Coach McVay whose job is ultimately on the line and tied to the performance of the players. So, what did he say?

The comments from Coach McVay were not scripted. He had a lot to say about Florida State's edge rusher Jared Verse, and it true Coach McVay fashion, seems to say a great deal without pausing to breathe in.

So what did Coach McVay say about the guy that gives fans a sense of just how much respect he has for Verse? He shared the following statements that give solid clues:

• "He seemed to play his best ball as the season progressed" - this is Coach McVay's sharing that Jared Verse never took plays off, and seemed to get stronger and better as the season moved along
• "You could see that that defense put the team on their back" - this is Coach McVay revealing how Verse and the entire Florida State defense understood the situation and elevated their game accordingly
• "The way he plays the game. From the first snap to the last snap. He wears people down." - this is Coach McVay's way of turning the focus from the entire defense to Jared Verse, indicating that Verse's physicality takes its toll on offensive linemen throughout the game.
• "He's physical. He's violent. His football character shows up on the tape." - This is high praise indeed from Coach McVay. He sees the passion and commitment from Verse in studying his footage. That is a huge plus.

So the coach loves the guy. But what do normal fans have to look forward to from Jared Verse in the LA Rams defense?

Athletic and productive

The quatlities about OLB Jared Verse that stand out to me are the fact that he is so very athletic. But more than just athleticism, he has managed to generate consistently high production throughout his college career. How athletic is he?

He is incredibly swift and powerful. Despite modest success at agility drills, he has no problem getting after the quarterback, setting the edge, shedding blockers, or defending the run. So, how excited is he to play for the LA Rams?

Wait until the end for this one, it reminds us of just how powerful being selected in an NFL Draft can be in a player and his family's life. This is one of those video clips that I can play over and over again to get myself hyped up for a new NFL season:

It was the explosion of emotion in the room when Jared Verse turned to this family and friends in the room and said: 'Rams," The emotions of his realized dream to play in the NFL are coming true. And his family members, filled with joy at the news, were so excited over the event that they could not help but burst with happiness.

DE or OLB?

Of course, with the LA Rams shopping for both outside linebackers and defensive ends, there is always the debate over whether an incoming rookie prospect was select to play in a two-point stance as an outside linebacker, or to put a hand in the dirt and play as a defensive end. Well, that is not up for debate for Jared Verse in this defense, as GM Les Snead ended all debate on the matter right up front:

And so, the Rams have Coach McVay delighted over the selection, and GM Les Snead confirms that Jared Verse will play outside linebacker for the Rams defense. But there is even more to love about this pick.

The Pat McAfee Show had former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick who had a lot to say about Verse. This is a solid assessment from one of the most accomplished and intelligent defensive minds in football today. Much like Coach McVay, Coach Belichick gave his honest and unscripted response to Jared Verse joining the Rams' defense.

The Rams have to be salivating over Jared Verse's range of defensive prowess.

Rams rally to welcome their new teammate

One of the aspects of a new player's selection to the team is the warmth of welcome that player receives from veterans who have the power to make a rookie's life much easier by reaching out to ensure that they know that they have support in a new city and on the new team.

His new teammate, veteran WR Cooper Kupp, was quick to reach out to Jared Verse. But this was more than a 'welcome aboard' meeting, as he had some words of wisdom to share with his new rookie teammate:

So what about the defense? Nose tackle Kobie Turner was right there as well, happy to be on the phone to his new teammate and welcome him to this team.

Even as the Rams loved the pick, the best part of this selection was the anthology of video clips shown when this selection was made, and it's clear that Jared Verse has some workhorse chromosomes in his genetic structure. He just obliterates offensive tackles with a variety of pass rush moves that often send the offensive tackle backwards crashing into the quarterback.

The Rams truly needed help at rushing the passer, and the comments of two of the NFL's best coaches are swooning over Jared Verse. That says quite a lot about his quality and NFL upside. He will please Rams fans this year, and terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

Thanks for reading.