NFL draft: Rams take Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse in first round

With no defensive players selected until No. 15, the Rams get the opportunity to take one of the top pass rushers in the draft, who will get the opportunity to contribute right away as a rookie.

HERMOSA BEACH — The Rams finally broke their streak of no first-round picks, selecting Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse at No. 19 on the first night of the NFL draft on Thursday.

Verse, 23, is the prototypical build for an edge rusher at 6-foot-4 with a 79.5-inch wingspan. He had nine sacks in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023, and adds to a core on the defensive front that includes outside linebacker Byron Young and defensive tackle Kobie Turner.

General Manager Les Snead spoke on Tuesday about keeping all of the Rams’ options open, whether staying put or moving up or down in the draft. The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Rams were inquiring about the cost of moving into the top 10.

But as the draft unfolded, things went the Rams’ way. With six quarterbacks going in the top-12 picks and no defensive player being selected until No. 15, the Rams had the opportunity to take one of the top pass rushers in the draft, who will get the opportunity to contribute right away as a rookie.

Verse, the Rams’ first first-round selection since Jared Goff in 2016, should be a good culture fit up front alongside Turner and Young. Like last year’s third-round picks, Verse started his collegiate career below the FBS level, playing three seasons with Albany before earning his opportunity with Florida State.

Once he arrived in Tallahassee, Verse earned two second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press in his two years with the Seminoles. He is known for his strength and energy in pass rush situations, with 61 pressures across the last two seasons according to Pro Football Focus.