There will be a lot of eyes on the Rams’ top two rookies this season, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, as Los Angeles attempts to replace Aaron Donald along the defensive front. They haven’t yet put the pads on but the early impression they’ve made is positive – particularly after an encouraging spring.
Sean McVay shared an update on the progress they’ve made this summer in the early stages of camp and he can’t help but feel their presence when they’re on the field.
“I think they just show up. There’s a suddenness. There’s an ability to finish,” McVay said of the rookies. “I think Braden Fiske has done a great job from learning from the OTAs [and] then being able to apply just some of his plans with his hands, understanding of where he fits, where his play opportunities arise. Jared Verse was a guy that [I] thought had an incredibly strong spring. He did a good job these last couple of days. When you feel those guys, especially when I look at it from an offensive lens, when you feel defensive players that’s one of the biggest compliments I can give guys.”
Verse will be rushing from the edge as an outside linebacker this season, while Fiske will primarily line up as a defensive tackle or end. They were outstanding together at Florida State and they should only get better as teammates with the Rams.
If the defense is going to be a top-10 unit this season, both Verse and Fiske will need to step up as productive players.