Defensive Rookie of the Year is an award reserved for the most impactful first-year player in the NFL. Given to the player who combines youthful vigor, enthusiasm for football and developed gifts into a standout season, winning such an award can sometimes be a precursor to a Hall of Fame career.
Edge rushers who have won this award include Micah Parsons, Nick and Joey Bosa, Terrell Suggs, and Lawrence Taylor. All of those men exemplify the same skills and desires possessed by Jared Verse.
Seeking to become the Rams’ first Defensive Rookie of the Year since Aaron Donald in 2014, Verse is well on his way to joining Donald and LB Isiah Robertson as the only Rams to win the heralded award.
Verse is currently tied with Edgerrin Cooper for the most sacks by a rookie this season but is the stand-alone leader in tackles for loss. He also ranks first among rookie edge defenders in tackles.
Verse has wreaked havoc in opposing backfields. This was made even more evident last Thursday when Verse put up 1.5 sacks and three total tackles in a victorious effort against Minnesota.
Verse on film and from a statistical standpoint is the best rookie pass rusher in the NFL. There’s no dominant rookie corner and outside of Edgerrin Cooper and perhaps Laiatu Latu, there’s no rookie that comes close to making the type of impact that Verse has on football games.
Jared Verse throws #76 out of the bar#RamsHouse #Skol #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/sQiIZQfkMU
— ᑭᖇO ᖴOOTᗷᗩᒪᒪ ᒍOᑌᖇᑎᗩᒪ 🏈 (@NFL_Journal) October 25, 2024
Verse has recorded a tackle for loss and a pressure win rate above 20 percent in five games this season. He is the only rookie to do so. Verse has also averaged nearly five QB pressures per game, totaling 32 this season – a number that leads all other rookie edge rushers by 15, per PFF.
Verse is the only defensive rookie that is undeniably dominating in the NFL. He’s so dominant that the Vikings had to redesign their protection schemes around what Verse could do.
Verse has a perfect blend of speed and power rush moves to throw blockers off balance and his ever-improving play against the run caps off the clear reasons why he should be – and will be – the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Keep in mind that Verse is on pace to eclipse every statistical mark 2023 winner Will Anderson Jr. recorded last season outside of interceptions.
