Jared Verse is making significant waves in his second NFL season, having tallied the third-most pressures for any second-year player through six weeks in Pro Football Focus (PFF) history. His impressive performance is part of a larger narrative surrounding the Los Angeles Rams, who have surged to a 4-2 record this season, despite facing tough competition in closely contested games.
Key to the Rams’ strong start has been the dynamic edge-rushing duo of Verse and fellow defender Byron Young. Verse entered the season with high expectations after a standout rookie year, while Young, a former third-round draft pick, has transformed his game this year after reasonably solid previous seasons. Together, they have amassed a remarkable 59 total pressures so far, ranking third and ninth in the NFL, respectively. Their efforts have propelled the Rams to third place in knockdown percentage, an impressive turnaround from recent years when the team’s pressure primarily depended on interior lineman Aaron Donald.
A look at the Rams’ defensive stats from the past few seasons reveals their evolution. In 2021, they ranked 29th in knockdown percentage at just 11.8%. This figure saw a slight increase in 2022, reaching 12.2%, but the team still continued to struggle for an edge-rushing presence. However, the 2025 season is proving to be a turning point, with the Rams experiencing a surge in this category, boasting a knockdown rate of 20.7% so far.
Verse’s substantial pressure totals can be attributed, in part, to his high snap volume—currently the fifth-most total pass-rushing snaps in the league. Young complements this by showcasing versatility; he drops into coverage on 23% of passing snaps, allowing him to effectively disrupt plays despite having fewer opportunities to rush the quarterback. His performance has garnered him second place in the NFL sack leaderboard with 7.5 sacks, equaling his tally from last season in a much shorter span of pass-rushing snaps. All of Young’s pressures and sacks occur against right tackles, where he has found consistent success.
Conversely, Verse has faced several high-profile offensive tackles, battling a combined $330 million worth of talent. His ability to generate quarterback hits consistently demonstrates his efficiency; in just six weeks, he has notched 31 pressures, a feat only matched by revered players like Von Miller and Aidan Hutchinson in their second seasons.
Despite having recorded 119 pressures over his young career, Verse has a lower-than-expected sack conversion rate of 9.5, placing him 41st in the league in that statistic. However, his effectiveness is evident, as he frequently penetrates the pocket and delivers impactful contact on quarterbacks, reflected in his 28 quarterback hits—the third-most in the NFL.
While the Rams utilize a conventional approach to rushing the passer, they have found their most substantial success when doing so with four rushers. Their PFF pass-rushing grade for four-man rushes stands at an astounding 86.5, the highest in the league over the last three weeks. In contrast, their effectiveness diminishes significantly when blitzing or using more complex stunts, emphasizing the value of maintaining a solid coverage unit.
The rejuvenation of the Rams’ pass rush also includes contributions from interior lineman Kobie Turner and veteran Poona Ford, who is making an impact in his first season with the team. Turner ranks tied for fifth in pressures among interior linemen, while Ford’s strong performance includes an elite PFF grade.
With Jared Verse’s relentless pressure style and Byron Young’s adaptable skills, the Rams seem to be forging a new defensive identity that thrives on edge rush productivity and efficacy in quarterback disruptions. This shift could be pivotal for the team as it continues to navigate a competitive season, offering hope for a sustained resurgence in their defensive performance.