2024 NFL Draft prospect profile: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Can the Giants add Verse to their defensive front?

Florida State edge defender Jared Verse has been considered one of the top edge prospects in the 2024 draft for a while ago. His blend of size, power, and athleticism makes him a headache for opposing blockers and he burst onto the scene almost as soon as transferring to Florida State prior to the start of the 2022 season.

That bit of background gives Verse a relatively unique connection to the New York Giants. He transferred to FSU from SUNY Albany, where the Giants held their training camps from 1996 to 2012 (with the exception of the 2011 lockout year).

Verse will likely be a high first round selection and it doesn’t seem as though the value will be right for the Giants and Verse to forge a new connection. However, stranger things have happened.

Prospect: Jared Verse (5)
Games Watched: vs. LSU (2023), vs. Clemson (2023), vs. Duke (2023), vs. Florida (2023)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS.football

Strengths

• Play strength
• Length
• Explosiveness
• Hand usage
• Versatility

Jared Verse is a good-sized, powerful, tough, and versatile edge defender. Florida State asked Verse to rush from a two and three-point stance, and he was also asked to drop into coverage on occasion as well. He’s explosive from both stances and appeared reasonably comfortable playing in space.

Verse has a thick build with adequate height and length at 6-foot 3 ⅞ inches and 33 ½ inch arms at 254 pounds. He has obvious power in his upper and lower body, which forms the basis for his game as an edge defender. Verse has extremely heavy hands which he uses to shock and control blockers. He does a great job of knocking tackles back with his initial rush and seizing inside leverage to control them.

Predictably, Verse is primarily a power rusher, using a good bull rush with a long-arm as a counter. He has a sudden first step, firing out of his stance with good leverage and gaining good ground into the backfield. He is also a technically sound defender who also understands how to use speed moves like club, rip, or arm-over moves as counters when blockers anticipate his power.

Verse is also a good and reliable run defender. His strength and power allow him to hold up on the edge. He does a good job of positioning himself to force ball carriers back toward his teammates, while also using his hands to neutralize blocks and make plays on the ball carrier. Verse is a good wrap-up tackler who arrives with bad intentions and does a good job of getting the ball carrier on the ground.

Weaknesses

• Bend
• Agility

There are few true holes in Verse’s game, and it can feel more like nitpicking than anything else pointing them out. That said, Verse isn’t quite a universal fit at the NFL level and his draft stock could vary because of it.

Verse isn’t a particularly “bendy” defender, and isn’t a pure speed rusher. His ankles and hips lack elite flexibility and he doesn’t consistently win with speed off the edge. That can make it a bit difficult for Verse to bend a very tight corner or carry speed into the backfield around the edge. That can also interfere with his hands around the edge as he compensates to maintain his balance.

There’s also a very slight inefficiency in Verse’s first step. He visibly presses his trail leg backward before accelerating into the backfield. It isn’t much, but his first step could be that much more sudden and explosive.

Game Tape

(Verse is Florida State EDGE number 5, wearing white sleeves)

Projection

Jared Verse projects as a starting EDGE with scheme versatility at the NFL level. Verse should be able to secure a starting job in an even, odd, or multiple front defense as a pro. He’s primarily a power rusher, and should pair well with a speedy pass rusher, but is able to win with speed himself.

Verse should be an every-down player and teams won’t need to take Verse off the field in any particular situation. He’s able to hold up in run defense and short yardage situations, and is also disruptive in true passing situations. His strength and power should allow him to create opportunities for blitzers, while he also has the athleticism to win on his own as well.

Jared Verse won’t have to wait long to hear his name called on draft night and should secure a starting job right away.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, though their picks and his value may not match

Final Word: A strong first round value