The Los Angeles Rams had been widely expected by rival NFL franchises to trade into the top 10 in this year’s now-completed 2024 NFL Draft, writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Fowler notes that the club instead decided to hold onto the No. 19 pick, which it used on former Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse, who the Rams see as a possible replacement for now-retired 10-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald.
Verse became the third pass-rusher drafted, behind UCLA Bruin-turned-Indianapolis Colt Laiatu Latu, who was selected with the No. 15 pick, and Alabama Crimson Tide-turned-Minnesota Viking Dallas Turner.
Some scouts, per Fowler, are actually higher on Verse than the other two.
“He’s a man-child,” an NFC scout raved, per Fowler. “He wrecks the game.”
A variety of rival teams thought Los Angeles would find its way into the top 10, hopefully to acquire Brock Bowers, a former All-American and John Mackey Award winner with the Georgia Bulldogs who wound up fall to AFC West rival the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 13 selection.
The Los Angeles Rams looked to bolster their pass rush with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Jared Verse out of Florida State.
It was the first time the Rams were making a first-round pick since 2016 when they selected quarterback Jared Goff out of California first overall.
Jared Verse spent the last two seasons with the Seminoles after beginning his collegiate career in the FCS with Albany.
In two seasons at Florida State, he cemented his status as a premier playmaker, totaling 29.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks.
