The Los Angeles Rams knew they were getting a strong player when they selected Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick in last year’s draft. But what they may not have anticipated was just how much of a game-changer he would be in his rookie season. Verse didn’t just perform well—he dominated in a way few first-year players do, establishing himself as a defensive force to be reckoned with.
From the moment he stepped onto the field, Verse played with an intensity that immediately made an impact. His stats speak for themselves: 4.5 sacks, 66 tackles, 18 quarterback hits, and 11 tackles for loss. Not only did he earn a Pro Bowl nod, but he also walked away with the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. His presence was felt in nearly every game, and he quickly became a nightmare for opposing offenses.
But if you think those numbers are impressive, just wait until you hear this—his pressure rate was off the charts. Including the playoffs, Verse racked up a staggering 89 total pressures in 19 games. According to Pro Football Focus, that wasn’t just good; it was the best in the entire NFL this season. That’s right—no player in the league generated more pressure on opposing quarterbacks than Jared Verse, barely edging out Chris Jones, who finished with 88 after adding three pressures in Super Bowl LIX.
To put this into perspective, Verse didn’t even have an overwhelming number of pass-rush opportunities. He ranked 12th in the league in total pass-rush snaps with 546. For comparison, the league leader, Jalen Carter, had 711 pass-rush snaps—165 more than Verse. And yet, Carter finished the season (including playoffs) with 75 pressures, significantly fewer than the rookie phenom.
Here’s how the final top 10 (including ties) shaped up in total pressures once the season wrapped up:
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Jared Verse: 89
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Chris Jones: 88
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Jonathan Greenard: 84
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Trey Hendrickson: 83
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Myles Garrett: 83
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Zach Allen: 81
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George Karlaftis: 76
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Jalen Carter: 75
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Danielle Hunter: 74
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Yaya Diaby: 70
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Micah Parsons: 70
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Greg Rousseau: 70
When you see names like Myles Garrett, Chris Jones, and Micah Parsons on that list, it becomes even more impressive that Verse led the pack in pressures. These are some of the best defensive players in the game—guys who have already built their reputations as elite pass rushers. For a rookie to come in and outperform them in this area? That’s next-level dominance.
So, what makes Verse so effective? For starters, his explosiveness off the edge is elite. He’s quick off the snap, relentlessly pursues quarterbacks, and has a motor that never stops running. But what truly sets him apart is his ability to convert pressures into impactful plays. It’s one thing to hurry a quarterback—it’s another to do it consistently while also racking up tackles for loss and quarterback hits. Verse has the rare ability to do both.
And let’s not forget—this is just the beginning. If he’s putting up these kinds of numbers as a rookie, imagine what he’s going to do in Year 2 once he fine-tunes his technique and gains even more experience. The thought of a more polished Jared Verse should send shivers down the spines of offensive coordinators around the league.
One area where Verse could improve is finishing plays with sacks. While 4.5 sacks is a respectable total for a rookie, his pressure numbers suggest he’s capable of hitting double digits in the very near future. With just a little more refinement in his tackling and pass-rush moves, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him hit the 10-sack mark as soon as next season.
The Rams have to be thrilled about what they’ve found in Verse. He’s not just another pass rusher—he’s the kind of player you build a defense around. His ability to disrupt plays and constantly get into the backfield makes him an invaluable asset for a team that’s looking to stay competitive in a tough NFC West division.
Fans should be excited, too. Los Angeles has a young star in the making, and if his rookie season is any indication, the sky’s the limit. With more development and the right coaching, Verse has the potential to be one of the league’s premier edge rushers for years to come.
There’s no doubt about it—Jared Verse is here to stay. And if this past season is just a preview of what’s to come, Rams fans are in for something special.
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