Filling the Vikings’ Pass Rush Need with an Explosive EDGE in the 2024 NFL Draft

Josh Frey |

Feb 5, 2024

Oct 14, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

While many are hoping for the Minnesota Vikings to take a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, there could be a number of positions that they target with the 11th overall pick.

The need at QB is pressing, but it is far from the only position that the Vikings need to look at this offseason. They also should have pass rushers on their radar in this class, and there are few as productive in this class as Jared Verse out of Florida State.

Overview

Height: 6’4″
Weight: 260 pounds
Arm Length: TBD
Hand Size: TBD
Wingspan: TBD
40 Time: TBD
School: Albany (2020-2021), Florida State (2022-2023)
Games Watched: Florida (2023), LSU (2023), Duke (2023), Clemson (2023)

Jared Verse really came out of nowhere when he got to Florida State in 2022. The pass rusher was not rated by 247 Sports in the Class of 2019, and thus, he began his collegiate career with the University of Albany.

After being a rotational player during his freshman season in 2020, he put together a fantastic 2021 season, finally placing him on the national radar. As a result, he entered the transfer portal as 247 Sports No. 2 ranked EDGE, coming in behind only Ochaun Mathis.

Verse proved this rating correct as he proceeded to dominate the ACC over his two seasons at Florida State, piling up a ridiculous 98 QB pressures (per PFF) along with 29.5 tackles for loss and 18 total sacks. Now, he enters the 2024 NFL Draft as one of the most highly-touted pass rushing prospects.

Statistics

Nov 11, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) before the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

2020: 12 tackles, 17 QB pressures, 4 sacks (4 games)
2021: 27 tackles, 36 QB pressures, 7 sacks (10 games)
2022: 48 tackles, 17 TFLs, 36 QB pressures, 9 sacks (12 games)
2023: 41 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 62 QB pressures, 9 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble (13 games)

Strengths

Oct 7, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) celebrates after a sack against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

You won’t find too many pass rushers that surpass Verse in terms of athletic ability. He has it all. He is explosive off the line of scrimmage, can maneuver his way around blockers with ease, and his acceleration is impressive while in pursuit of ball carriers.

Verse also has an incredible motor that allows him to wear down offensive lines over the course of a game. An example of this came against the Florida Gators where Verse recorded a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in the final minutes to help seal a win.

Finally, Verse is more than capable and willing to help in run support. He has very powerful hands that can win him the leverage battle to shed blockers and make plays at the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses

Oct 28, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) during warm ups against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

While Verse certainly has multiple counter moves in his pass rushing repertoire, a lot of his success at the collegiate level has been based on that aforementioned athletic ability. He isn’t quite as polished in this area as, say, a Laiatu Latu. Winning with an explosive first step off the line is crucial for him, and it may not be as easy for him to rack up the high pressure numbers in the NFL.

Verse also needs to solidify his tackling mechanics, particularly against the run. There were a number of instances where he simply failed to wrap up tackles, allowing the opposition to gain extra yards as a result.

It should be noted that Verse will also be an older rookie in this class, turning 24 years old in November.

NFL Projection

Oct 21, 2023; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) reacts before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Draft Stock: Top 10-First Round
Immediate Role: Starting DE/OLB
NFL Comp: Greg Rousseau
Vikings Draft Thermometer: 70

At the end of the day, the Vikings need to find some sort of solution for their group of pass rushers. They don’t have many options on the roster right now, with Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum heading into free agency.

Even if the Vikings were to retain Hunter, it would be smart to give him an explosive athlete for a partner to help take some pressure off. Verse certainly can be that for the Vikings and should be considered a candidate for Minnesota with the 11th overall pick.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via 247 Sports, Pro Football Focus and Sports Reference CFB.

Also Read on PurplePTSD:
The Pass Rusher Who Went from Retired to a Top Prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.