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znModeratori dunno. i’m not as high in this pick as others. especially with all the defensive players available. maybe they shoulda traded down.
I like what I see and hear with Verse. He’s not a Miller, Mack, or Parsons. Though if he were, he wouldn’t have been there at 19. He is though a pro-ready pass rusher whose talent has more to do with power than with bendy edge-rush magic. He’s like a Kevin Greene with more speed-to-power violence in him. He also has some position versatility which means that the Rams will likely work on scheming in a pass rush on obvious passing downs by moving Turner and Verse all over the place.
They won’t be replacing AD with another “the one guy” type guy…it will have to be a collection of good players made effective by scheming and by constantly surprising the offense (making the offense ask, who do we focus on? who’s coming this down and from where?). Verse is one more step in that direction though they need a couple more too.
That’s Verse on the left of the pic, closing in on a sack:
znModeratorznModeratorfrom Dane Brugler, “The Beast” 2024 NFL Draft Guide.
… blue-collar background and has a strong support system built on hard work (added 40 pounds of muscle during the pandemic to move to the defensive line) … great teammate and quickly created a legacy in Tallahassee…. As a pass rusher, Verse can win with speed or power and flashes violence in his hands to break down the rhythm of blockers. He sets a physical edge in the run game and is always around the football, because of his awareness, effort and fierce play personality. Overall, when he channels his relentless energy, Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class, because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter (reminiscent of eight-year NFL veteran Dante Fowler).
znModeratorznModeratorJared Verse was drafted with pick 19 of round 1 in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 9.60 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 73 out of 1798 DE from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/oBAispWUHn pic.twitter.com/w48aTK13Ge
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 26, 2024
znModeratorA rugged, physical football player. 😤
📺: 2024 Draft on ESPN/ABC/NFLN pic.twitter.com/qeiJTAItsF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 26, 2024
znModeratorLos Angeles Rams draft Jared Verse: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
By Eric Single and Jourdan Rodrigue.The Los Angeles Rams selected Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse with the No. 19 pick in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft.
Verse, who started his college career at the FCS level with Albany before transferring up and starring for the Seminoles, will now bring his electric suite of pass-rush skills to the Rams’ defensive front.
Verse left high school as a tight end and channeled that athleticism to dominate on the defensive line at Albany, earning FCS Freshman All-America honors before hitting the transfer portal and joining Mike Norvell’s rebuild in Tallahassee.
He made an immediate impact, with two key sacks and a blocked field goal in the Seminoles’ Week 1 win against LSU in New Orleans. That kick-started the first of Verse’s two nine-sack seasons for the Seminoles, who went undefeated in 2023. Having proved everything he needed to at college football’s top level, Verse joined the long list of FSU opt-outs ahead of the Noles’ 63-3 Orange Bowl loss to Georgia.
‘The Beast’ breakdown
Verse ranked No. 20 in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“When he channels his relentless energy, Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class, because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter (reminiscent of eight-year NFL veteran Dante Fowler).”
Coaching intel
Here’s what two anonymous coaches had to say about Verse in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft:
“His assimilation of making the jump from Albany to Florida State was impressive. He’s very smart. He’s got a chip on his shoulder.”
“He’s very physical. He gets after people in the run game. Has some mitts and uses those hands well. He’s an explosive athlete and has good burst. Plays like he’s always trying to prove he belongs in big-time football.”
And here’s what a scout told Feldman in his draft confidential.
“I like Verse a little better (than Dallas Turner). He plays harder and has a better feel for it. Verse has great upper body strength. Can go speed to power. Ran 4.58. He is a little bit stiffer and doesn’t bend the corner as well, though.”
Why he’s a first-round pick
Verse’s size-speed combo translated seamlessly against Power 5 competition, underscoring why he was one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal after the 2021 season. He bookended his time on the national college football stage at FSU with sacks in highly visible, clutch situations: a near game-clincher on the final drive of the 2022 thriller against LSU and a pair of drive-killers in the 2023 ACC championship game win against Louisville.
By the end of his career, Verse’s role had morphed from breakout star to one of several dangerous members of the Noles’ defensive front, offering a preview of the impact he might make at the next level even before he develops into an NFL defense’s primary weapon.
Mike Sando’s assessment
Three of the six NFL execs I polled at the combine had Verse going in the top 10. Verse winds up going to the Rams at 19 as the fourth defensive player in this class.
How he fits
Verse will start immediately for the Rams, in the vacant spot opposite second-year player Byron Young. The Rams have needed another outside linebacker for more than a season, and Verse’s power in tandem with Young’s speed could be a force for a pass rush that is entering a new era minus Donald.
Rookie impact
Verse should be expected to start right away. The Rams had an issue with complementary pressure in 2023, without another strong presence on the edge.
Depth-chart impact
Verse will get the benefit of also playing alongside interior defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who led all rookies in sacks last season (9.5). The attention Turner can command on the inside makes opportunities better for Verse and Young, and vice versa.
They also could have picked ….
The Rams really liked Dallas Turner, who surprisingly fell into the teens as a record-setting run on offensive players unfolded to start the round. They called other teams about trading up or back, including getting a price assessment on what it would take to get into the top 10 (for an offensive player). They could have traded back and were prepared to do so just in case the board didn’t fall to them, but getting one of their top-ranked overall prospects in Verse meant staying put.
Fast evaluation
Because of the unique way the board fell in the first round, the Rams were able to combine a massive need with their favorite player still available on the board in Verse. That’s rare luck. Verse will be an immediate impact player under second-year coach Joe Coniglio.
znModeratorOn the way to improving to 13-0 and winning the ACC title, we broke the ACC Championship Game record with 1⃣4⃣ TFLs#NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/6Z41tQp4x0
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) December 7, 2023
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueThe Rams are picking FSU OLB Jared Verse – a rare combination of massive need and one of their favorite players in the class. They were prepared to potentially trade out but the board fell uniquely – luck helps. Their first first-round pick since 2016, and a defensive player..Jared Verse says this is a “dream come true.” Kobie Turner has already reached out..Stu Jackson@StuJRamsDefensive coordinator Chris Shula and outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio both pumped after the pick. Could hear and feel that energy throughout the draft house after it was made.Rams Brothers@RamsBrothersWhat we really liked initially about Jared Verse was his ability to rush with his hand in the dirt, and standing up. Physical edge setter in the run game. Speed and power combo. All around really good f*cking player and more polished than Chop Robinson..Cameron DaSilva@camdasilvaThe Rams filled their biggest roster hole without trading up or reaching for a guy. I LOVE the pick of Jared Verse. Thought he’d have gone earlier..Rams Brothers@RamsBrothersHow insanely pumped must Chris Shula be right now? Jared Verse had 29 TFL and 18 sacks in 25 games for FSU. Also, from everything we’ve read, he’s a really good human being and fits the Aaron Donald “care factor” mold..Rams Brothers@RamsBrothersJared Verse, per Dane Brugler’s the Beast: “Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class. Because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter.”.Stu Jackson@StuJRamsByron Young’s speed + Jared Verse’s power generated? Sign me up.Verse is fast, too, power generated = speed to power.Blaine Grisak @bgrisakTSTByron Young and Jared Verse should be able to complement each other really well. Got more of a speed guy with Young and Verse adds some more strength on the other side. Add Turner in the middle? Defensive pass rush has a vision..Elvis
There has never been that many QBs or offensive players taken at the start/top of a draft ever.
Good day to need defense..
znModeratorHEIGHT6’ 4’’WEIGHT254 lbsARM33 1/2’’HAND9 7/8’’,By Lance Zierlein
Draft Projection
Round 1
NFL Comparison
LaMarr WoodleyOverview
Talented edge defender with the field demeanor, athleticism and skill set to rack up statistics in key categories fairly early in his NFL career. Verse dominated at Albany and then showed an ability to do the same at Florida State. He’s twitchy and compact, with explosiveness featured at the point of attack and in his upfield burst as a pass rusher. He’s great with his hands and does a nice job of diagnosing plays quickly and staying out of the clinches of offensive linemen looking to snatch him up. Verse’s ability to threaten the edge only bolsters his hellish speed-to-power bull-rushing ability to run tackles deep into the pocket. He can play up or down and should be in consideration for all defensive schemes looking to add a safe, high-impact edge.
Strengths
Thrives with winning first step and unstoppable energy.
Quick to close distance and mitigate his length disadvantage.
Controls bigger blockers at the point with leverage, hands and power.
Instincts allow for rapid diagnosis and attack of play development.
Advanced GPS into the pocket, with multiple available rush routes.
Uses sudden, combative hand work to beat the punch and grease the edge.
Bend and strength to corner tightly to passer at efficient angles.
Instantly converts his twitchy get-off into a menacing bull rush.Weaknesses
Lacks ideal size and length that teams covet.
Unable to anchor deep when drive blockers get into him.
Below-average footwork and wrap-up leads to missed tackles.
Offensive tackles stall his rush plan with a firm punch.
Has moments where rush wears down against size.Sources Tell Us
“He really sees the game well and he’s got the athleticism to go with it. I think he’ll be one of the best defensive players to come out of this draft.” – NFC executive
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueIf a team needs defensive players, and happens to be in the late-middle of the draft, what a time.Rams Brothers@RamsBrothers13 straight offensive picks. Draft is insanely top heavy with offense. Part of the reason why we were saying IF the Rams trade up, it would be for either an offensive lineman or WR. Nonetheless, so much talent still on the board..Fishkiller@FV_Mylia_LynnHere comes the run on defensive players. The Rams should have at least one of Latu, Turner, Verse, Mitchell, Arnold or Murphy to choose from on that side of the ball.znModeratorDianna Russini@DMRussini
The Rams are pursuing this trade into the top 10 with a specific player in mind and it’s not a quarterback, per sources.Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
More on this, per sources…from what I’ve gathered so far this morning, Rams are checking prices on a number of different possible moves – up into the top 10, and down.To me, staying at 19 would be surprising.
How it works (for generally most teams outside of T12ish): Go into day one with a series of “if, then” scenarios that will have been played out as a staff in rehearsals. A pool of players who may be available at the original pick point. Scenarios if someone highly ranked
falls lower than predicted. Scenarios if a trade manifests. A pool of players who could be available if that trade manifests. Scenarios if a trade doesn’t manifest. So much work goes into just the hypotheticals of this day.znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_Long
Few thoughts on the Rams draft, with the disclaimer that none are in any way sourced or informed by anyone inside the building. Plus, my annual reminder that there are men & women who spend every waking moment on this process. I’ll never pretend to tell them their business. Ok…I think you start each offseason & draft with these questions:
(1) Do you have a QB who can win the Super Bowl?
(2) If not, do you have a roster that can, even if the QB isn’t the driving force?Ever since we saw what McVay was capable of in 2017, the answer has been “Yes.”
Since we’re in “first time the Rams will pick in the first round since Goff in 2016” mode, feels appropriate to call this out: LA nailed that move up for Jared, and clearly picked the right player. Don’t want to take that for granted, just bc he was 1.1 or plays for DET now.
For me, the last 6 years have been about the window that AD99 created. Cannot stress enough, flip them picks was only possible because of the 13th pick in 2014.
Now, it shifts to the window that’s been kept open by MS9 playing at an MVP level in the second half of last season.
With respect to that window, Matt Ryan officially retiring this week is going to be a reference point.
There are specific things Stafford can do before he’s done to cement his legacy. From the Rams documentary, that’s clearly not lost on him. And that gives me chills.
In terms of the need/best available tension: You want to be drafting premium positions in the 1st Rd. I can make the case that the Rams have “needs” at all of those positions, so in that sense, there’s a lot of flexibility. But last year’s class reinforces “fit” above all else.
znModerator“He easily has the most tools in his tool box as a pass rusher…reminds me of TJ Watt.”@GregCosell talking UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu: pic.twitter.com/05tcGji5ny
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 24, 2024
znModeratorIs it at all conceivable that they draft an offensive player with the first pick? I dont think so. I dont care who drops on offense, I think they go DT or DE. I assume thats the consensus here. w v
Or LB/edge. Front 7 anyway.
But if there’s a good caliber LOT? Maybe. I am not for that, but this draft is crazy with OL picks. They could have a guy there at pick 19 who’s better than what you would usually expect to see at that point.
April 23, 2024 at 10:13 pm in reply to: it’s own thread–Rams OL developments this off-season #150304znModeratorRams’ Steve Avila makes a move: Shifting to center, film with Rob Havenstein and more
Jourdan Rodrigue
Second-year Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Steve Avila found out he was moving to center at about the same time reporters did.
“I found out through Instagram,” he said, laughing. “When y’all saw it is when I saw it. (But) I knew it was a possibility, that it might happen. It’s funny, I remember Les (Snead) asked me if I could snap midseason. I was like, ‘Whoa, what are we doing?’ … It was really depending on how things were going to go in the draft and free agency.”
Avila started and played every snap for the Rams at left guard as a rookie in 2023, but did play center while at TCU. Ahead of free agency this spring, as the Rams negotiated an extension with right guard Kevin Dotson they also evaluated the broader guard market in case they couldn’t ultimately re-sign him. Left guard Jonah Jackson was at the top of their “just in case” list. When the Detroit Lions didn’t extend Jackson ahead of the legal tampering period and the Rams got Dotson’s three-year extension done early, they saw they could also make a push for Jackson, who ultimately signed a similar three-year deal.
“If we were to lose Kevin Dotson, who could we replace Kevin with?” Snead said last month, “Then that’s where — wait a minute, there could be an opportunity to get two guards, especially with Steve’s (Avila) versatility.”
Getting the two guards done quickly was possible because the Rams believed Avila could move to center, which in turn meant not re-signing former starter Coleman Shelton. Shelton, who has since signed with the Chicago Bears, opted to void the final year on his contract and test his market. And the Rams didn’t need a surplus at guard and could not wait on Shelton.
Now, Avila enters OTAs with the new role. The practices are limited in football activity until later in the spring, and won’t be padded until training camp. Avila, a left-handed snapper like Shelton before him, will lose about five pounds but much of his work will be mental.
“I sat down with Les and (Sean) McVay and everybody, and they told me they have a bunch of trust in what I can do,” Avila said.
The center is responsible for a huge amount of pre-snap diagnosis, setting protections and overall communication in the Rams’ offense. Avila began his rookie season with an idea to absorb both the offense and the defense in the same way he would as if he were the center at that time, using skills he learned at TCU. But for a rookie expected to plug and play immediately at guard, it was too much to learn two positions at once.
“I tried to learn everything as a center, because then you know who does what,” he said, “and it got to a point where I had to not do that, because I really had to focus on my technique and what I was supposed to do and understanding the playbook. Now that I know more things, I’m now approaching more things from a center mindset. … It’s refreshing, because I (now) know a lot of the things. I played every snap. It’s good to see things from a different perspective and I learned a lot from Coleman Shelton and Brian Allen last year.”
Allen was the backup center after starting for the Rams during their Super Bowl-winning season. He didn’t play any snaps in 2023, but he always wore a headset on the sideline. That was just one clue about how significant a mental load playing the position can be: Every snap is a group effort, including position coach Ryan Wendell (a former longtime center) and of course veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.
“Sean mentioned this in our offensive line meeting today, it doesn’t just fall on Steve to make sure every call is right (and to) get every look correct,” right tackle and captain Rob Havenstein said last week. “We are all working as a unit, quarterback included. Obviously Matthew has been around the game long enough, he’s seen everything (and) knows everything. Super smart guy, wouldn’t want anyone else back there. But it’s not just Steve, it’s not just on him. Everyone else is learning and growing together. … We just need Steve to be Steve.”
The quarterback/center partnership especially is about supplementing each others’ pre-snap responsibilities. Receiver Cooper Kupp believes that Stafford’s experience will help Avila in his transition, and has seen the reverse in effect during his tenure, too.
“It’s interesting, I go way back to 2017 (when) John Sullivan was here,” Kupp said, “you had Jared (Goff), who was a younger quarterback, you had John Sullivan who had been in the offense, been in the league for a long time, been in Sean’s offense for a long time. When I got in, the center did everything. Jared was learning a lot from John, how John saw the game (and) how he wanted the protections.
“That was a collaboration between those two to figure out (what) that was gonna be. As Jared played longer, Jared took more ownership of that. Now, we’re in this place where we’re seeing the opposite of that. You’ve got Matthew, who can do all the stuff. He’s obviously going to be able to help with the run game, can help in the protections and do all of that. He’s going to run the show. It’s going to be on Steve now to step in and be like, ‘How can I learn what Matthew is seeing, how he wants to do things?’”
Havenstein set up meetings with Avila this spring to study defensive structures, and has helped him with new techniques for quickly breaking down a big picture in the seconds before a snap.
“If you look and see the whole picture just right away, you see everything, it kind of blinds you a little bit,” Havenstein said. “Start looking at little details that help you out, figure out what is going on. All of that is just a learning process.”
Avila said the Rams’ guards generally relied “heavily” on previous centers, because of their knowledge. He used to go into the huddle and listen, and absorb all of the information. Now, the charismatic young lineman will be the one speaking (along with Stafford).
“He seems so excited to take over that role,” Kupp said, “(to) be a part and being at the center of that offense. I’m really excited. I think it’s going to be a really good fit.”
McVay and Havenstein made sure Avila knew he didn’t have to be perfect right away.
“We don’t expect it today, I don’t expect it tomorrow, I don’t expect it by the end of OTAs,” Havenstein said. “It’ll be the same thing in training camp, just keep building and building and building — and I think Steve is going to do a great job.”
znModeratorEnjoying the Mike Tannenbaum and Dan Orlovsky discourse this morning. Mike is arguing the Rams should use a first round pick on a QB, aka “Stafford’s successor”.
Orlovsky is arguing that they’re Super Bowl contenders with Stafford under center and will draft a piece that can…
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) April 23, 2024
znModeratorf you haven’t already planned the menu, and gone shopping, then this is a bit premature.
Oh I have, I have.
It’ll be a nice spread.
znModeratorTrue story 💫
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) April 22, 2024
znModeratorJ.B. Long@JB_LongThe more I think about 19 overall + 10 additional picks, the more I like how the Rams are situated this week.znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueBig goal for Kobie Turner this year is to get as comfortable in 3 tech, 4 and even 5 as he got at nose last season. He says position flexibility and matchup based rotations will be a focus for him this year (have previously reported discussion of moving him to the 3)..Asked Kobie Turner about the balance between managing the pressure of being “next” after Aaron Donald’s retirement, and continuing to grow. Great perspective here..April 22, 2024 at 2:24 pm in reply to: Rams off-season assessments & 2023 reviews & recollections #150293znModeratorell…Aaron Donald is not going to be on the line. I cant get past that. I dunno what to do with that.
Rams have had top defenses before. They did it the old-fashioned way–without a single dominant star, but with several good to excellent players. In fact look at their top picks–Rams have been neglecting the front 7 in the draft for years. From 2017 to 2022 they had 15 combined 2nd and 3rd round picks and out of those they selected 2 front 7 players–Jones and Lewis (and Lewis was a gamble). In 2023 they made it 4 out of 18.
They need front 7 players. They won’t find a Donald, Taylor, or White but not every good defense has that.
Baltimore had the 1st ranked D last year in terms of points. (6th in yards). They don’t have a Donald, White, or Taylor. Just good players in a good and well-coached scheme.
Though the Rams defense has been neglected in the draft for so long (or the front 7 has anyway) that I would expect to signs of good play in 2024, but not a fully arrived real D yet. But they can take very positive steps in that direction.
With this offense, as you said, that might be enough for now.
April 22, 2024 at 12:41 am in reply to: Rams off-season assessments & 2023 reviews & recollections #150291znModeratorApril 21, 2024 at 11:21 pm in reply to: Rams off-season assessments & 2023 reviews & recollections #150290znModeratorznModeratorCareer grades for the 2014 NFL Draft class 📊 https://t.co/32QEo5PogA pic.twitter.com/DdCHwiK1Oc
— PFF (@PFF) April 21, 2024
znModeratormoved from (basically) the wrong thread
“Travis and Jason reveal what it was really like game planning for Aaron Donald”
znModeratorRoman Gabriel finds Jack Snow for the 20 yard TD.
The pair connect against Hall Of Fame defensive back Mel Blount.
Rams vs Steelers – 1971 pic.twitter.com/qtD8vNeTZf
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) October 20, 2023
znModeratorTom Mack@TomMackHoFGabe was a great teammate and legendary player and Ram. Rest in peace.Jack Youngblood@theblood85GAB WAS A GREAT QB …MERLIN & GAB SHOWED THIS ROOKIE HOW TO PLAY THE GAME…IN THE LOCKERROOM I WAS IN AWE. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A HALL OF FAMER IN MY BOOK!! REST IN PEACE GABznModerator19. Los Angeles Rams: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
This was the most difficult pick during this first round, and it was simply because there wasn’t anyone near the top of my board who played a position of need. It ultimately came down to Mims or Thomas, and Thomas can produce more during his rookie season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford only has so many years left, and giving him another high-caliber pass catcher alongside Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua should make this passing attack almost impossible to defend.
znModeratorROMAN GABRIEL NFL ALL-TIME QUARTERBACKS (VOL. 1)
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