Where is FSU star Jared Verse projected to go in 2024 NFL Draft? Mock drafts weigh in

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Where is FSU star Jared Verse projected to go in 2024 NFL Draft? Mock drafts weigh in

Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida · Tallahassee Democrat

Fri, Apr 12, 2024 ·

8 min read

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The NFL Draft is just two weeks away. Where could former Florida State star Jared Verse be headed?

Verse was a menace to opposing quarterbacks in his two seasons with FSU football . The defensive end made 89 tackles, with 29.5 for a loss and 18 sacks , plus a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He was a first-team All-American in 2022 and made the All-ACC first team in both seasons. Before transferring to Tallahassee, Verse played in 2021 Albany in the FCS.

Verse opted out of the Orange Bowl in December after declaring for the NFL Draft. Here's a look at where NFL experts predict Verse will go in recent mock drafts :

Atlanta Falcons

Lance Zierlein , NFL.com (at pick 8):"Pass rusher or pass catcher? This could be the decision at hand for Atlanta, with Verse, Dallas Turner and Rome Odunze on the board. I'm planting a flag for Verse, who has the explosiveness and power that Raheem Morris is likely to covet."

Chad Reuter , NFL.com (trading to pick 12):"The Falcons acquire two mid-round picks from the Cardinals to move down four slots, and they still land an excellent pass rusher in Verse, who could make a Will Anderson-type impact in Arizona 's system."

Chicago Bears

Eric Edholm , NFL.com (at pick 9):"Why Verse over Dallas Turner? Just a gut feeling here, but GM Ryan Poles appears to like bulk and edge-setting ability in his pass rushers. Either would be a fine choice, but we'll pencil in Verse, whose effort and speed/power combination could comprise a nice bookend set with Montez Sweat ."

Nate Davis , USA TODAY (trading to pick 13):"Why would Chicago punt on a second top-10 pick? Well, selections that lofty – even on rookie contracts – get expensive. And as good a situation as it appears, GM Ryan Poles has a league-low four picks this year – and moving down just this far would still enable him to fill a need with a stud while adding a choice likely to be in the third- or second-round range depending on what year it lands. And though he acquired DE Montez Sweat at the trade deadline last year, Poles still needs a pass rusher on the other side. Verse, who will also bow up against the run, was a first-team All-American during both of his seasons with the Seminoles and registered nine sacks in each."

Arizona Cardinals

Daniel Jeremiah , NFL.com (trading to pick 11):"The Cardinals trade back and still get an elite edge rusher in Verse."

Josh Edwards , CBS Sports (trading to pick 23):"Arizona began its quest to upgrade the roster with the selection of cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and now adds another vital piece to the defense. Verse is the second of three first-round selections."

Danny Heifetz , The Ringer (trading to pick 23):"The Cardinals get a dream scenario in which they still land Marvin Harrison Jr. with a top-five pick, then grab Verse here to help on defense. The Cardinals ranked 30th in sacks last season (33), and the team needs a pass-rushing overhaul. Verse is explosive ( shoo shoo as Cards head coach Jonathan Gannon would say ). Arizona is light on talent in their front seven, and former top pick Zaven Collins is entering the last year of his contract. Verse can pair with BJ Ojulari , last year's second-rounder out of LSU. The Cardinals also need a cornerback, but with Arizona picking again at no. 27 and multiple cornerbacks still on the board, grabbing Verse here makes more sense."

Field Yates , ESPN (trading to pick 27):"Arizona has three top-35 picks, making it a possible trade-up team late in the first round if it has a specific target. But the Cardinals' patience in this scenario would pay off in the form of Verse, a super powerful pass-rusher who many thought was bound for the draft last year (he was viewed as a possible first-round pick even then). Verse is a slightly older prospect -- he'll be 24 during his rookie season -- and doesn't have quite the same bend as the rushers taken prior to him, but he's going to be a good pro and can fill a major need for Arizona. He had 18 sacks over the past two seasons."

Denver Broncos , pick 12

Pete Prisco , CBS Sports:"They pass on a quarterback here, although they could trade down and take a quarterback. For this draft, they stay put and add an edge player in Jared Verse ."

Bucky Brooks , NFL.com:"Sean Payton is rebuilding the Broncos, with a premier pass rusher among the team's top needs. Verse is an energetic sack artist with the potential to reach double digits in that category."

Matt Holder , Bleacher Report:"Denver could use some help on the edge as it is currently slated to start Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper . Verse would walk in as the team's most talented player at the position, and his physical playing style next to Zach Allen would go a long way toward rebuilding Denver's defensive front."

Indianapolis Colts , pick 15

Nick Baumgardner , The Athletic:"Corner is a more pressing need for the Colts — but if the top two are gone, the second-best edge would be a fine consolation prize. The Colts are still deciding on Kwity Paye 's fifth-year option, and Verse's traits will definitely intrigue Chris Ballard. Wide receiver is another possibility here."

Jacksonville Jaguars , pick 17

Demetrius Harvey , Florida Times-Union:"Many will be stunned if the Jaguars go with former Florida State Seminoles pass rusher Jared Verse after months of speculation surrounding the team's receiver and cornerback position groups. But Verse, 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, has all the tools for early success and helps fill a current, and perhaps future, need at defensive end. His athleticism jumped out at the NFL Combine after he scored a 9.53 RAS score thanks to his impressive athleticism numbers."

Los Angeles Rams , pick 19

Rhett Lewis , NFL.com:"Admittedly, this feels late for a player like Verse at a premier position, but the run on QBs and OTs could easily push talented defenders like Verse down. The Rams are more than happy to pair a fierce edge presence with burgeoning talent Kobie Turner on the inside."

Matt Miller , ESPN:"The Rams are pretty free to attack value with a "best player available" approach in Round 1. The retirement of Aaron Donald looms large, but breakout rookie Kobie Turner will slide into the 3-technique spot. Where the Rams really need help in the pass rush is off the edge, and that's where Verse would come in. He is relentless with high-effort production -- Verse helped lead FSU to an undefeated regular season with nine sacks and 50 pressures. He's a plug-and-play 4-3 defensive end starter with Trey Hendrickson-like ability."

Chris Trapasso , CBS Sports:"Jared Verse is a high-floor, ready-to-go rusher who'll formulate a fun outside pass-rushing duo with Byron Young in Los Angeles ."

Miami Dolphins , pick 21

Mel Kiper Jr. , ESPN:"Yes, Miami has Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips as its top edge rushers, but both are coming off serious season-ending injuries. Phillips tore an Achilles in late November, while Chubb tore an ACL in early January. There's no guarantee either is 100 percent healthy when training camp starts. That's why the Dolphins could take Verse, who has impressive power in his 254-pound frame. His 50 QB pressures last season were the eighth most in the FBS. Miami has to replace a few starters after offseason subtractions, but Verse would be a no-brainer selection if he's still on the board."

Charles Davis , NFL.com:"Need meets potential! The Dolphins lost their top two pass rushers to injury in 2023 (Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb). Here they seize the opportunity to add one of the best edge rushers in the draft."

Philadelphia Eagles , pick 22

Danny Kelly , The Ringer:"The Eagles do here what they always seem to do in the draft, gobble up value with a potential day-one contributor in Verse. The former Seminoles star is an explosive pass rusher who plays with a blend of speed and power. He'll be a nice complement to Josh Sweat ... and Bryce Huff on the Eagles defensive line."

Tampa Bay Bucs , pick 26

Gennaro Filice , NFL.com:"Honestly, I have no idea how Verse is still available. I feel like I failed as a mock drafter. But unexpected slides happen all the time when the real picks start poppin'. If the Florida State edge remains unclaimed at this point on draft night, the Bucs need to sprint the card up."

Baltimore Ravens , pick 30

Mike Tannenbaum , ESPN:"I really want to get the Ravens another edge rusher in their front seven. ... The depth isn't strong here. Verse had a great combine (4.58-second run in the 40 at 254 pounds and a standout showing in drills) and 18 sacks in two years with the Seminoles. His style of play would fit well with the Ravens."

When is the NFL Draft? How can I watch?

Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan
Round 1: 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25
Rounds 2-3: 7 p.m. Friday, April 26
Rounds 4-7: Noon Saturday, April 27

The 2024 NFL Draft will air April 25-27 on ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network. Streaming options include fuboTV , which offers a free trial for potential subscribers.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jared Verse NFL mock draft roundup of projected landing spots

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