In Bleacher Report’s recent NFL re-draft, Kristopher Knox made a striking decision that didn’t alter history for the Los Angeles Rams—but reaffirmed it. Instead of opting for a quarterback or skill-position weapon, Knox kept the Rams’ original 2024 first-round selection intact, selecting EDGE Jared Verse once again.
This isn’t just a safe move—it’s a resounding endorsement of what the Rams do better than almost any franchise: identify and develop talent that fits perfectly into their system.
“Nacua was given lots of consideration, but you can’t pass on a 24-year-old pass-rusher who had the most pressures of any rookie in the last five years,” analyst Cory Akeley noted in the re-draft.
That 24-year-old pass-rusher, of course, is Jared Verse—originally taken 19th overall by L.A. The Florida State product wasn’t seen as a surefire top-10 pick heading into the 2024 draft. In fact, several teams passed on him. But the Rams, true to form, saw beyond the projections and took their swing.
It paid off in a big way.
Los Angeles Rams Re-Draft Doubles Down on Jared Verse as Rams’ Future Defensive Star
Verse put together one of the most dominant rookie seasons for a defensive player in recent memory, finishing the year with 89 pressures—the most by any rookie over the last five years. For comparison, the next closest rookie in pressures was fellow Rams selection Braden Fiske, who finished with 59. Simply put: Les Snead and the Rams front office nailed the draft.
Beyond the numbers, Verse quickly became the motor of the Rams pass rush, improving each week and showing the rare ability to wreck a game from the edge. He racked up 18 quarterback hits and 11 tackles for loss, providing the kind of consistent disruption that defensive coordinators crave.
And while some might argue that the Rams could have used this opportunity to draft another dynamic offensive weapon—someone like Puka Nacua, who blossomed into a breakout star in 2024—Knox’s pick reflects a clear philosophy: elite pass rushers are harder to find than wide receivers.
With 37-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford returning after being tagged this offseason, and with head coach Sean McVay still leading one of the most creative offenses in football, the Rams can afford to continue building around a potent but aging core. Keeping Stafford around might give them a real Super Bowl shot in the near future, but rebuilding the defense with cornerstone players like Verse is the key to sustaining long-term success.
If Jared Verse’s rookie campaign was any indication, the Rams may have landed not just a Pro Bowler, but a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
In a league where pressure is everything, L.A. made the right move twice. Once on draft day—and again in Bleacher Report’s re-draft.
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