Falcons bolster pass rush by selecting Jared Verse in latest mock draft
The Atlanta Falcons are expected not to use their first-round pick in this year's draft on a quarterback after investing in veteran passer Kirk Cousins at the start of NFL free agency. That means there are several ways the Falcons could go at No. 8 overall, but A to Z Sports' latest 2024 NFL mock […]
The Atlanta Falcons are expected not to use their first-round pick in this year's draft on a quarterback after investing in veteran passer Kirk Cousins at the start of NFL free agency.
That means there are several ways the Falcons could go at No. 8 overall, but A to Z Sports' latest 2024 NFL mock draft has them bolstering their pass rush and picking Florida State edge Jared Verse.
A to Z Sports cites Verse's explosiveness and standout final two seasons with the Seminoles as reasons why he would be hard to pass up if he's still on the board:
"The Falcons addressed their glaring need for a quarterback by signing Kirk Cousins in free agency, leaving Atlanta to bolster their pass rush with their 2024 first round pick by adding a young and explosive edge who would make an immediate impact. Florida State’s Jared Verse fits that mold perfectly following back-to-back impressive final seasons with the Seminoles where he racked up 18 sacks, and then went on to top off his memorable collegiate career with an eye-opening combine performance."
Verse, who is nearly 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, recently showed off his insane athleticism at the NFL Combine last month where he ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 31 times.
Those are impressive numbers that scream first-round draft pick.
Verse spent his first three years of college football playing for Albany before transferring to FSU in 2022.
He has zero problems adjusting to a high level of game as he earned back-to-back First-Team All-ACC and All-American honors. In two seasons with the Seminoles, Verse logged 89 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and three pass deflections.
The Falcons don't appear too eager to re-sign two of their top sack leaders Bud Dupree or Calais Campbell in NFL free agency so there's a chance that they're holding off until the draft to bring in some young talent.
And Verse just may be the player that the Falcons are eyeing to upgrade their pass rush.
