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Jared Verse
EDGE · CLE

Jared Verse

Position EDGE
Team CLE
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Jared Verse

NFL defensive edge rusher. Position: Edge Rusher (EDGE). Team: Cleveland Browns (traded from LA Rams on June 1, 2026).

Quick Facts

  • Position: Edge Rusher (EDGE)
  • Team: Cleveland Browns (traded June 1, 2026)
  • 2024: 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
  • Career stats: 4.5 sacks (rookie), 7.5 sacks (2025)

2026 Outlook

Jared Verse was traded to the Cleveland Browns on June 1, 2026, in the blockbuster deal that sent Myles Garrett to the Rams. Verse has impressed as a high-motor pass rusher over his two seasons with the Rams, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and adding 7.5 sacks in 2025 along with three forced fumbles. Considered to be "on his way to being an elite pass rusher" with All-Pro potential. Now heading to Cleveland as part of the franchise's youth rebuild, Verse will be a cornerstone piece of the defensive line under new DC Mike Rutenberg. His upside as an elite defender entering his prime years makes him a critical player for the Browns' future, and the pick capital the Browns received from the Garrett trade positions them for a deeper rebuild. (per Garrett Blockbuster May Give Raiders Regrets From Botched Crosby Trade)

For the Rams, the decision to trade Verse represents a calculated sacrifice. Though Verse was viewed as a foundational defensive piece—rapidly establishing himself as one of the most explosive young defenders in the league—the organization made the bold bet that Garrett's immediate, proven dominance outweighs the long-term value of a younger, cost-controlled pass rusher. The Rams were clearly not interested in rebuilding, but rather in competing for championships immediately (per 2026 Defensive MVP Myles Garrett Traded to LA Rams - Respect My Region).

Browns' rebuild centerpiece (Late June): The Browns' 2026 roster is young and positioned around a multiyear rebuild, with Verse as a core defensive foundation. The team added promising players from the 2026 draft class and hired Todd Monken to boost the offense, but success depends on nailing their quarterback pick in 2027. Verse will be a cornerstone player during the rebuild window, with high expectations for sack production as a building block for Cleveland's future. (per NFL 2025 offseason power rankings countdown: Bottom-feeders have QB issues)

July 16 — Verse's mindset shift after trade: Verse acknowledged the initial pain of the mid-season trade away from LA, but quickly embraced Cleveland's vision after meeting coaches and teammates. He stated: "I'd be lying to y'all if I say it didn't hurt... You build relationships, you build a routine, then you start imagining your whole career in one place, and then you don't get a warning; it just kind of pops up on you one day." However, after seeing "the vision that they not only have for me, but for the whole team," Verse became excited about the Browns' direction and eager to establish defensive standards with his new organization (per Jared Verse eager to establish standard with Browns after stunning trade: 'Jared Verse defense')..

2026 upside with new DC Mike Rutenberg (July 5): First-time Browns DC Mike Rutenberg arrived from the Falcons, where he ran a pass-coverage scheme similar to Jim Schwartz's (the departing coordinator). Analysts project Verse could have a career-best 2026 season, though he may not replicate Myles Garrett's 23.0-sack pace from 2025. Verse has strong support from the new regime and a stable scheme, positioning him as a high-floor pass rusher entering his prime. (per Analyst Sends A Stern Warning To NFL About Browns' Defense).

The Browns valued Verse as critical to the Garrett deal, insisting he be included despite Rams resistance. The Browns assigned him a trade valuation of 1st + 3rd (bare minimum) to 1st + 2nd, reflecting his value as a cost-controlled, extension-ineligible player with two years and a fifth-year option remaining. Sean McVay had to personally inform Verse of the trade before it became public, signaling his importance to the Rams' defensive future—a personnel loss McVay emotionally struggled with. (per Inside the Rams' and Browns' Two-Month Negotiation Over the Myles Garrett Trade).

Role / Depth Chart

Starting edge rusher for the Cleveland Browns. Core building block in their defensive rebuild. Shula, the Rams defensive coordinator, described Verse as "the attitude of the defense," highlighting his motor, professionalism, and impact beyond the stat sheet. Shula expressed gratitude for Verse's contributions during his tenure in LA, calling him "everything the Rams wanted him to be," though parting ways was necessary to acquire Myles Garrett. (per Getting great people, great vets we can all learn from)

PFF Edge Defender Rankings (Aug 5): PFF ranked Verse among their top edge rushers heading into 2026, noting his role as a key acquisition in the Myles Garrett trade. The analysis states: "While it's never good to lose a player the caliber of Myles Garrett, getting Jared Verse as part of the trade package was a smart move by the Browns. In two seasons in the NFL, Verse has produced 189 total pressures from 1,182 pass-rushing snaps and possesses one of the most devastating bull rushes in football. Heading into Year 3, he becomes the focal point of the Browns' pass-rush." (per PFF Edge Defender Rankings: The top 32 players ahead of the 2026 NFL season)

August 11 training camp: competitive intensity on display. Verse was involved in a viral training camp fight with rookie left tackle Spencer Fano, which ultimately helped Fano win the starting job. HC Todd Monken praised the fight as evidence of Fano's willingness to stand up to Pro Bowl pass rushers, using the scrap as part of his rationale for promoting Fano to starter. For Verse, the incident underscores his role as the defensive standard-setter—a competitor who brings elite motor and physicality to every rep, even in padded practices (per Browns rookie's viral training camp fight helped him win starting job: Why Todd Monken loved what he saw).

2026 All-Pro outlook (Aug 28): CBS Sports projects Verse as the top edge rusher candidate for first-time All-Pro honors in 2026. In LA with the Rams, he had the sixth-most pressures (80) despite playing alongside multiple elite pass rushers—production visibility that was diluted by the collective dominance. With Cleveland, Verse gets a chance to be "the guy" on a rebuilding defense, potentially elevating his sack total above his 7.5-sack 2025 season. However, nine of the 14 edge rushers named All-Pro over the past five years were first-round picks (Verse was 19th overall in 2024), suggesting ceiling concerns for second-round edge rushers. The CBS analysis notes Verse's bull rush is supreme, but additional hand-fighting moves could push him into elite territory. Success depends on Browns' pass-rushing production volume and sack creation—metrics that scale with team success (per Predicting NFL All-Pros at every defensive position: Young Browns, Seahawks stars among those to watch in 2026 - CBS Sports).

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