Jared Verse, the Los Angeles Rams’ outside linebacker, has just been honored as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month, as confirmed by the league.
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This recognition stems from Verse’s impressive quarterback pressures, where he currently sits at 16th overall among all NFL defenders with 17 pressures in just four games. Notably, he’s leading all rookies in this category.
In addition to his pressure stats, Verse has recorded 19 total tackles and one sack, positioning him as the Rams’ top player in quarterback hits with a total of four. His tackle count is also the fifth-highest among Rams defenders.
During Week 4, Verse achieved an outstanding 50% pass rush win rate against the Chicago Bears, marking the best performance for a single game this season.
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This pass rush win rate puts him in the same league as New York Giants nose tackle, Dexter Lawrence.
Drafted 19th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Verse was the Rams’ first selection and has so far proven to be a valuable asset, especially following Aaron Donald’s retirement announcement after last season.
The Rams focused their early draft picks on solidifying their defense, hoping that Verse and teammate Braden Fiske would rejuvenate a squad missing its star player.
Their defensive coordinator, Chris Shula, acknowledged their disruptive presence in the backfield and stressed the importance of finishing plays in practice. “It’s crucial to keep emphasizing the finishing aspect every single play,” he mentioned in a team statement.
Known for his strength in run defense, the next step for Verse is to convert more sack opportunities, which would elevate him to being one of the most formidable defensive players in the NFL.
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Statistically, Verse is tied for fifth in tackles for loss with five and is also tied for ninth in quarterback hurries with 12. He boasts an impressive sixth-highest pressure rate in the league at 18%, according to Next Gen Stats.