While the Denver Broncos are no stranger to investing in the edge position, they are still missing the elite pass rusher that their team so desperately needs.
Already having the likes of Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and Baron Browning all on rookie deals, the Broncos are off to a strong start in creating a winning pass rush room, but are still without a truly elite option. That results in these players often being asked to be something they are not.
Unfortunately for Denver, finding that player is a lot easier said than done, as edge rushers come at a premium in the NFL. With that in mind, the NFL draft is the only realistic way for Vance Joseph’s defense to attain a top-notch edge defender.
Currently, Florida State’s Jared Verse is the most commonly mocked edge defender for the Denver Broncos’ first-round selection, but can he fit the bill of a player who can transform Denver’s pass rush and help make the defense as feared as it was in years past?
Height: 6’4”
Weight 254
Hand: 9 7/8″
Arm: 33 1/2″
Wingspan: 79 3/8″
40-Yard Dash: 4.58 seconds
3-Cone: 7.31 seconds
Shuttle: 4.44 seconds
Vertical: 35 inches
Broad: 10 feet, 7 inches
Positives
- Is built well for the position, as a very dense and compact player.
- Has an extremely fast get-off and does a great job timing the snap.
- The pairing of his explosiveness and frame lead to him being exceptionally powerful.
- Great at attacking offensive linemen’s hands and is very precise in doing so. He has mastered the stab/chop move.
- Is adept at converting speed to power, exploding through opposing offensive tackles.
- Has a lot of power in his hands and can routinely jolt his opposition back on initial contact.
- Wins leverage battles easily and naturally.
- Knows how to be effective in twists, stunts, and other games played up front.
- Can be asked to rush from multiple positions and find success.
- Has the ability to set the edge in the run and shows the ability to stack and shed in the run. He’s not just a third-down specialist.
- Plays like his hair is on fire, demonstrating an extremely hot motor.
- Current skill set makes him playable immediately at the NFL level in any down or distance.
- Has a ton of college production against Power-5 competition.
Negatives
- Needs to develop more counters, for when his initial pass-rush plan does not work.
- Can be susceptible to getting too far upfield as both a pass rusher and run defender.
- Has good but not elite length.
- Isn’t the most flexible athlete when bending the corner.
- Not ideal to drop back in coverage.
- Very explosive vertical but limited explosion when moving side to side.
Overall
Originally attending Albany, Verse was a zero-star recruit out of high school before gaining around forty pounds, transforming his body, and transferring to Florida State University.
Once a Seminole, Verse wasted no time in becoming the focal point of that team’s defense, immediately finding great success against much better competition. In fact, after only his first year attending the University, many thought Verse should declare for the NFL draft, as he was already being viewed as a first-round selection.
Verse decided to come back, and now, with two Power-5 seasons under his belt, Verse has great collegiate production, totaling 18 sacks, 89 total tackles, and 29.5 tackles for loss.
Even beyond the stats though, Verse was an amazing player and one of the country’s most dangerous pass rushers.
As a player tasked with getting after the quarterback, it is imperative to get a quick jump off the snap, and this is an area where Verse is exceptional. He routinely is the first defender off the ball and is able to get opposing offensive tackles on their heels in a hurry.
From there, Verse does a terrific job with his initial pass-rush plan. Specifically, he has mastered the stab/chop, which essentially is a move to defeat the outside hand of his opposition and bend the corner on his way to the quarterback.
While the stab/chop is his primary move, he also has devastating power in his arsenal, routinely putting offensive linemen on skates and effectively crunching the pocket. He is able to do this with great size and explosiveness.
Not having elite arm length for the position, Verse consistently wins the leverage battle, and then his athleticism and powerfully dense frame allow him to generate tremendous force.
His power and athleticism are also seen on stunts or twists, as Verse can create a ton of pressure when tasked with bullying the smaller offensive lineman of the interior.
Plus, Verse still has plenty of room to grow as a pass rusher. Specifically, adding more counters after his initial pass-rush plan does not work would elevate his game to yet another level. Too many times Verse is seen getting too far upfield after being neutralized.
While he displays tremendous motor on these plays, often willing his way back into the rep, with added technique, Verse can become much more difficult to block.
In a class where there are so many one-trick ponies, only being able to rush the passer or defend the run, Verse stands out by being able to do both at a high level.
Whether it be his ability to stack and shed or set a strong edge, Verse might be the safest player at his position in this class, as he has the skill set to play in any down or distance the moment he enters the NFL.
Ultimately, because of his profile as both a pass rusher and run defender, Verse has a case for being the best edge player in this class and is a surefire first-round pick.
For The Denver Broncos
Selecting a player at pick No. 12 in the first round, the Denver Broncos will undoubtedly have more than one good option on the board when it is time for Sean Payton to decide who’s coming to Denver, but Verse has a very intriguing case, as one of the few that can drastically improve Denver’s defense as a rookie.
As it currently stands, Joseph’s defense is lacking the size and power that Verse brings. Being able to consistently set an edge and defend the run, and rush the passer at a high level, it is easy to envision Verse’s fit on the team.
With that being said, NFL decision-makers should be looking at first-round players as investments. Year-one production is great but the Broncos are in no spot to overemphasize 2024 contributions, as they’re unlikely to compete this season.
With no one expecting a winning season from the Broncos, one could make the argument that it is much more important for the team to build their foundation on offense, with that pick either being a quarterback or a player that directly helps their future quarterback.
While that may be preferable, the NFL draft is all about attaining talent and there is no doubt that Verse is meets that demand.
Finding players at this position and with Verse’s ability is no easy task and cost teams an arm and a leg on the rare occasion they are made available in the open market. Look at Von Miller’s dubious contract with Buffalo, which the Bills had to re-negotiate this offseason.
Because of this, and how he compliments the pass rushers already on the team, if Verse is on the board when the Denver Broncos are picking, they should waste no time in making him the selection.
