NEW ORLEANS – The Rams went seven years without a first-round pick. The franchise ended their drought in 2024 when they drafted outside linebacker Jared Verse. It turns out Verse was worth the wait.
Verse was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at the NFL Honors on Thursday. He’s the first Rams player to be named Defensive Rookie of the Year since defensive tackle Aaron Donald, now retired, won the award in 2014.
The No. 19 overall pick out of Florida State was instrumental in the Rams’ season as the franchise won the NFC West title and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Verse led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56). He also compiled 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4½ sacks and two forced fumbles. He played in all 17 regular-season games, which included 16 starts.
In a 27-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the wild card-round of the playoffs, Verse scooped up a fumble and returned it for a 57-yard touchdown. His divisional-round performance was even better. The edge rusher registered four tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and two QB hits. He became the first rookie with at least two sacks in a playoff game since Nick Bosa in the 2018 postseason.
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“He’s a stud,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said this season. “He’s a man. We’re proud of him and he’s doing a great job.”
Verse was selected to the Pro Bowl in his inaugural season.
“He has the respect of his peers and coaches and it’s just good to see. We know in this building how much he impacts the game,” Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula said in January. “He’s a true three-down player and he has continued to get better and better playing within the scheme of the defense.”