Rams OLB Jared Verse named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

The last time the Rams picked a defensive player in the first round of the NFL draft, almost 11 years ago, he won Defensive Rookie of the Year, the first in a long list of hardware that he would add to his shelves.

That defensive rookie a decade ago was Aaron Donald. On Thursday, the Rams’ next first-round defensive pick, Jared Verse, carried on the tradition, being named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year at NFL Honors in New Orleans.

“Hard work can take you anywhere,” Verse said. “You don’t have to be the biggest, the strongest, the fastest. As long as you work hard, you can overcome anything. So, it’s just a testament to that.”

The 19th overall pick out of Florida State in last April’s draft, Verse – the Rams’ first first-round pick, period, since 2016 – totaled just 4½ sacks in 2024. But he led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56) during the regular season to go with 66 tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

He added 12 more QB pressures in the Rams’ two postseason games, including two sacks in the divisional round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Verse got 37 first-place votes, well ahead of Eagles rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who received nine. Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske, Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still, Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock and Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil each got one apiece.

Verse beating out fellow Ram and fellow FSU product Fiske is sure to add fire to their friendly competition at the practice facility.

That makes three total members of the Rams’ young pass rush to be invited to the NFL Honors as Rookie of the Year finalists in the last two seasons, after defensive tackle Kobie Turner was the runner-up following the 2023 season.

For a complete rundown of the award winners, including the tight MVP race, click here.