How does a team overcome the loss of a future Hall of Fame defensive tackle? Apparently, it’s by drafting well and loading up the defensive line with explosive young players. That’s how the Los Angeles Rams have handled he departure of Aaron Donald, who retired from the NFL in March.
The additions of Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske have paid dividends already, as evidenced by the Rams’ 27 total pressures against the 49ers’ offensive line on Sunday afternoon.
That quartet of pass rushers has lived up to the hype and people are taking notice. NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger broke down the Rams’ defensive line in his latest video on Monday and he raved about the group Les Snead has assembled, focusing mostly on the talent of Verse.
Baldinger highlighted Verse’s power off the edge and his ability to collapse the pocket as quickly as he does, as well as his burst into the backfield as a run defender on multiple occasions.
“You’ve got to watch the movement right here, and the sheer power, getting right to Brock Purdy time and time again. He was the best pass rusher on the field, I thought,” Baldinger said.
.@RamsNFL @JaredVerse1 consistently collapsed the pocket and affected the QB throughout. What a group of active talented DL they have drafted the last 2 years. In Les Snead they trust #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/OjiM0OISGq
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 23, 2024
That’s high praise for a rookie who was playing on the same field as Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Byron Young and Kobie Turner.
As a whole, Baldinger believes the Rams’ front could be the best young defensive line in the entire NFL.
“Jared Verse, showed me, along with Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske and Byron Young, this might be the best young defensive line in all of football right now,” he said.
The best part for the Rams is that this is just the beginning. These four players have only suited up for three games together, and they’re only going to get better as they continue to gain experience.