With off-season moves, such as free agency and the draft, complete and rosters beginning to take shape, it’s time to examine which IDP rookies could make an immediate impact closely. Which teams are going to jump-start the clock and roll with rookies? One team that will be starting an IDP rookie is the Los Angeles Rams, with EDGE Jared Verse.
Rewind to the Past
The path to the NFL for Rams rookie Jared Verse hasn’t been of the typical variety, but nothing about Verse is typical. He started his career at the University of Albany in the FCS division. In his two seasons with the Great Danes, he played in 15 games with totals of 74 tackles, 46 solo stops, a 62.1% solo rate, 21½ TFLs, 13½ sacks, two forced fumbles, and one PBU. In his last season at Albany (21’), Verse played in 11 games, recording 52 tackles, 31 solo tackles, a 59.6% solo rate, 11½ TFLs, 9½ sacks, one forced fumble, and one PBU. That performance on the season would earn him All-CAA 1st Team honors. After the season he would transfer to Florida State University to play for the Seminoles.
When FSU brought Verse in they knew they were getting a potentially great player, but even they couldn’t have seen this type of transformation coming. In his first season in Tallahassee, Verse put on an absolute show!!! He played in 12 games, making nine starts and putting up totals of 48 total tackles, 22 solo stops, a 45.8% solo rate, 17 TFLs, nine sacks, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick. V He would be only one of two Power 5 players with four games of 2½ TFLs on the season. Verse would be named FSU Defensive MVP and All-ACC 1st team. With his draft stock soaring, Verse would decide to return to FSU for his senior season.
For his final encore season with the Seminoles, Verse would once again show why he was one of the best defenders in college football. He played and started 13 games while registering 41 total tackles, 23 solo stops, 12½ TFLs, nine sacks, 11 QB hurries, three PBUs, and one forced fumble. One recovery, and one blocked kick. Verse would earn All-ACC 1st Team honors, 2nd Team All-American honors, and be a semifinalist for the Lombardi and Lott Impact trophies.
Back to the Future
The Los Angeles Rams lost one of the best defensive players this league has ever seen in, DT Aaron Donald. They selected Jared Verse in the 1st round of the NFL Draft with the 19th overall selection, with the hopes he can help fill that void. Verse is certainly capable of helping with that, especially as a pass rusher. He has that similar build as Donald, but is just a tad better speed-wise, whereas Donald wins power. No one will ever replace Donald, but Verse will make it hurt less. LA has the new hot pass rush duo now, with Verse and 2nd-year pass rush star, Byron Young! Don’t forget they have stud DT Kolbie Turner and drafted DE Braden Fisk!
This should be an easy transition for Verse to the NFL, in terms of that he won’t have to carry this defense. Just step in and be himself. Verse will be a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year and he’s ready. He dominated quickly in just two seasons at Florida State and has a terrific frame (6’4”/254 lbs) that he can still build upon. His best trait is his football IQ. Verse just wants to get better every rep and is a student of the craft. He has the power/speed combination that elite defenders always have. Verse will be a starter on opening day and the Rams will be counting on him and Byron Young to be stars.
Fantasy Breakdown
Verse is one of the biggest IDP names in this year’s rookie class and rightfully so. He is one of if not the top pass rusher in this class and landed in a great situation. Verse will have a great young supporting cast surrounding him on the field, which should allow him to just play free. As I mentioned earlier, no one can replace Donald, but Verse should step in and help with the pass rush right away. We have recently seen young pass rushers enter the league and quickly have success, and I expect Verse to as well. Players such as Will Anderson (7 sacks) and Aiden Hutchinson (9½ sacks) among others, have produced right away as rookies and placing Verse in that group is a fair expectation.
Verse is being drafted at an average pick of 26.1 currently and is the 4th IDP rookie off the board. That ADP puts him being selected at the end of the 2nd round of rookie drafts and that’s about the right value for him. The higher your league's score sacks, the more value Verse will have. Also, be sure to check your league's positional designation for Verse as he will fit into multiple categories (DL/DE/LB). He will be listed as an OLB on the Rams roster, but if you can play him at DE or DL, his value improves immensely. I have been and am as high as anyone on Verse dating back to his first year at FSU. He’s an elite pass rusher going to a team that knows how to put these types of players in a position for success. I have no issue drafting Verse with a 2nd round pick especially if that’s what your team needs. Verse is a player you should be investing in for all of your IDP portfolios.
All stats provided by Pro Football Reference
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
