Jared Verse is having such a great season that simply classifying him as one of the best rookie defenders in the NFL is an understatement. Through 12 games, he’s proved to be one of the best defensive players anywhere in the league.
He just happens to be a rookie.
His 55 total pressures are the third-most among all edge rushers and his 14 QB hits are tied for the most at his position, too. His Pro Football Focus grade of 84.9 ranks 10th among edge rushers, just to put into perspective how dominant he’s been.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger continues to be impressed by Verse’s play week in and week out, once again featuring the Rams rookie in his “Baldy’s Breakdowns” series on X. He broke down Verse’s dominant game against the Saints, highlighting No. 8’s power and relentless motor.
“Just watch him abuse players – physically abuse players,” Baldinger said. “Like, it’s just one play after another where he just dominates the play. He takes the tackle right here and he’s got him on one leg. Physically, almost every play, he just dominates the action.”
.@RamsNFL @JaredVerse1 was physically dominant v @Saints and he “closed ” out the game. And he is just getting started. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/3EjXBPPMS3
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 4, 2024
One of Verse’s best and most critical plays in the win came in the fourth quarter when he beat tight end Foster Moreau one-on-one and hit Derek Carr to cause an incompletion on fourth down, sealing the win for Los Angeles.
“Anytime someone wants to put a tight end on him like they do here, it’s just abuse. It’s literally abuse,” Baldinger said. “Like, nobody can block him. No tight end can block him. This is a chance to go win the game and Verse wins the game.”
Baldinger featured Verse in another one of his videos, focusing on his matchup with Saints left tackle Taliese Fuaga. Each player performed well and Baldinger gave Fuaga plenty of credit, but Verse had his share of wins, too.
.@rams @JaredVerse1 v @Saints @Taliese1 2 excellent young players going mano a mano. Fun game within the game last Sunday in the Superdome. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/aiTAdvTXiD
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 4, 2024
The Rams sure look like they hit a home run with Verse in the first round and if he continues on his current path, he’s going to be a Pro Bowler in no time.
