from https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-draft-grades-for-every-team-eagles-patriots-chiefs-deliver-cowboys-panthers-receive-poor-marks/

Les Snead is one of the most underrated GMs in the NFL. He proved that again with this draft. The Florida State duo with the first two picks — spectacular. Older but instant-impact types. Neither Corum nor Kinchens are premier athletes; they just handle their jobs at a high level. Jackson has some upside as a thick but sleek edge rusher, and Davis is one of the preeminent run-stopping defensive tackles in this class.

Oh, and Limmer is an eventual starter given his time destroying worlds in the SEC as an explosive and powerful pivot.

Grade: B+

from https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-7-best-pass-rushers-in-this-years-class/

JARED VERSE, FLORIDA STATE

Jared Verse starts the list of the 6.7 and above grades that represent true three-down starting edge rushers. Originally starting in the FCS ranks at Albany, Verse made the jump to Florida State in 2022 and immediately stood out.

In 2023, he ranked third among edge prospects in SIS’s Pressure Rate Above Expectation stat, which adjusts pressure rate for game situations and the player’s alignment.

SIS scout Nathan Cooper gave Verse a 7 in pass rush, hand use, play strength and pass rush repertoire. He also wrote, “Verse is a top-tier pass rusher with heavy hands and a bag of tricks that makes it difficult for linemen to block him.”

from https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-top-11-edge-rushers-prospects/

Jared Verse Verse projects as a high-end starting edge rusher who fits best in an even front where he can rush with his hand in the ground, but there really isn’t a reason he can’t stand up on the edge as well. His pass rush ability is already at a very good level and with a little refinement and coaching at the next level, it can become elite.

On third downs, he’ll be most effective and do the most damage with his power and repertoire as a wide-9 on the edge. He could also reduce down inside to use his length on interior linemen. He can stand in here and there on special teams, but with stamina, motor and tackling concerns, it’s likely not something to waste reps on.

From https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Jared-Verse-DE-FloridaState

SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS

Verse brings a seasoned pass-rush plan to the table, executing a myriad of initial and counter moves with polished technique and shrewd decision-making.
The explosive first step is a cornerstone of his game, dictating pass-rush scenarios by imposing his will and disrupting offensive linemen’s rhythm off the snap.
Elite athletic skills — Made Bruce Feldman’s 2023 ‘Freaks List’ at number 26. He wrote: “another year at FSU has enabled him to continue to develop, both physically and in his on-field skill set. At 6-3 1/2, 260 pounds, Verse power-cleans 360 pounds, squats 555 and benches 455, but he also has excellent burst, running 21.14 MPH in a game with a max acceleration of 5.85m/s with a max deceleration of -6.98m/s.”
Exceptional bend and flexibility allow Verse to exploit the edge, dipping under offensive tackles and maintaining a tight, efficient path to the quarterback.
Natural athletic gifts are evident in his lateral agility, enabling effective redirection and counter moves that continue to confound protective schemes.
His functional strength shouldn’t be understated – Verse consistently delivers powerful punches and showcases the ability to hold his ground against heavier opponents.
The motor on Verse runs incessantly, reflecting a high-effort player who brings relentless energy and pursuit from snap to whistle on every down.
Hand usage is a notable strength, displaying rapid and potent strikes that effectively navigate through opposing linemen’s blocks to disrupt the backfield.
A hallmark of his game, the palpable explosiveness, permeates through his every move, asserting dominance in gap penetration and providing a perpetual disruptive presence.

SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES

Verse, while maintaining exterior leverage, occasionally overshoots, enabling offensive schemes to exploit created lanes, undermining the run defense’s integrity and effectiveness.
Despite a robust and physical approach to run defense, there’s a discernible lack of control in his tackling, often resulting in missed opportunities in the backfield.
While the collegiate tackle-for-loss numbers are there, skepticism arises regarding the translatability of those statistics to the NFL, demanding further refinement in his approach.
Anticipation and mental processing in run scenarios require elevation; enhancing block recognition and reactionary quickness out of his stance remains a pivotal area for development.
Verse’s effective hand usage in pass-rush scenarios demands translation into run defense, ensuring that generated power and jolt are equivalently impactful across all play types.

 

from PFF, Most and least improved units after the 2024 NFL Draft:  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-most-and-least-improved-units-after-the-2024-nfl-draft

LOS ANGELES RAMS DEFENSIVE LINE

One of the sayings that we heard all offseason for the Rams was that they can’t replace Aaron Donald. The Rams certainly believed that to be true, and their response was to draft a plethora of new defensive linemen. They drafted Jared Verse in the first, traded up for Braden Fiske in the second, then brought in Brennan Jackson and Tyler Davis on Day 3. Combine those four with Kobie Turner and Byron Young from last year’s draft, and you have a completely new defensive line in Los Angeles.

Which teams will make the #NFL playoffs next season? 🤔 @DallasDRobinson predicts the entire field. 👀 pic.twitter.com/sxz9YX91kD

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 30, 2024

Would you change anything? pic.twitter.com/lYmjNBSQFL

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 30, 2024

.

#Browns have agreed to terms with center Brian Allen, per his agency @SportsAmdg.

Allen was a fourth round pick by the #Rams in 2018. He’s played in 50 career games, while starting 32 of them. pic.twitter.com/xm24JQeIfL

— Noah Weiskopf (@BrownsWithNoah) April 30, 2024

Instant Analysis: Why Jordan Whittington could be the steal of the draft for the Rams

Brock Vierra

https://sports.yahoo.com/instant-analysis-why-jordan-whittington-222308663.html#:~:text=A%20near%20Rhodes%20scholar%2Dlevel,be%20such%20a%20consistent%20player.

Despite all the hype behind Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell entering the NFL draft, it is without a doubt that the most consistent pass catcher for the Texas Longhorns over Steve Sarkisian’s tenure has been Jordan Whittington.

At No. 213 overall in the sixth round, the Rams selected Whittington, and it could be the steal of the draft for them.

Whittington, a 6-foot-1 wide receiver from Cuero, Texas is no stranger to adversity. During his five years at Texas, he played for two different head coaches, and while opportunities were sparse due to the immense talent surrounding him including seven offensive skill players being selected in the past two drafts, Whittington has consistently answered when called upon.

Whittington doesn’t have off-the-charts athletic talent, causing him to slide in the draft but he possesses something better. A near Rhodes scholar-level football IQ. Whittington throughout his entire career has put together film of him finding pockets in coverages, cutting routes short, and creating separation based on pre-snap reads that has allowed him to be such a consistent player.

Whittington also has sure hands and the awareness to reroute himself when the pocket collapses on his quarterback. He is a QB’s best friend and despite getting thrown the ball by Casey Thompson, Hudson Card, Quinn Ewers and Malik Murphy, his numbers though not mindblowing, have remained steady.

This is the exact type of receiver that thrives in a Sean McVay offense and with Cooper Kupp getting older, there’s a high possibility that Whittington could see the field early and often. I’m not saying he’s going to put up Puka Nacua numbers but the man has the ability to mess around and have a 1000-yard season.

I’m calling my shot. Jordan Whittington is the steal of the draft.

BrooklynRam74

Mel Kiper tonight on ESPN Draft Recap just singled out Brennan Jackson as a great pick in the 5th Round. Said he’s a great pass-rusher and had him ranked 2 rounds lower, 3rd Round.

.@TampaBayTre drops his post-Draft grades on @NFLTotalAccess 👀

Did your team do well in the Draft? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/HwvFOg7a4i

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 29, 2024

Not that they will stay in their base formation, but what is their base formation?

ROLB……ILB/nickel-DB……ILB…….LOLB
……RDE or 3-TECH……NT…….LDE

Going from left (or ROLB) to right, starting with the LBs:

Young
?Rozeboom?/Lake
Jones
Verse

Then it gets tricky?

Turner (if 3 -TECH), Fiske (if 3-TECH or DE)
Brown
Johnson? Fiske? Hoecht? Goodlow (UDFA)? Olajiga (UDFA)?

Last year the RDE was Jonah Williams but he signed with the Vikes.

I have a feeling it will be

Turner (3-Tech)
Brown (NT)
Fiske (LDE)

That btw does not look great. It’s too young. The defense might be generally effective in 2024 but I see them ranking between 18th and 12th.

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/4/29/24144751/rams-draft-beaux-limmer-value-espn

ESPN’s Matt Miller has to grades hundreds of prospects in the draft every year, if not sometimes tipping the scales close to 1,000 names, so it’s notable that he was especially stunned that the Los Angeles Rams were able to draft offensive lineman Beaux Limmer in the sixth round. On Monday, Miller posted his best values and biggest reaches in a thread on Twitter and named Limmer alongside receiver Brenden Rice and quarterback Michael Pratt.