NFL Draft Needs: Falcons Target Florida State Edge Rusher Jared Verse?
Through the first week of free agency, the Atlanta Falcons have poured most of their resources into improving the offense by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins and a host of new receivers.
On the other side of the coin, though, the Falcons have hardly made any changes on defense. They haven't lost any key players yet, but with the likes of Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree still unsigned, that could easily change soon.
Atlanta's defense improved substantially in 2023 compared to the year before, but still has a long way to go to becoming one of the league's best. One area that definitely needs an improvement is the pass rush, as the Falcons had 42 sacks to finish in the bottom half in the league. Granted, that's still double what they had the previous year, but again, still not great.
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Some believe the Falcons will look to add a star edge rusher in the draft, and Bleacher Report agrees as the site named Florida State Seminoles star Jared Verse as the team's top Day 1 target.
"Florida State's Jared Verse is the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's top-rated edge-rusher, top defensive player at any position and its ninth overall draft prospect," Bleacher Report writes. "He's coming off back-to-back nine-sack seasons and has all the tools to continue being productive at the pro level.
"The Falcons have their most important offensive piece in Cousins. Now it's time to add his defensive counterpart, a dominant sack artist."
After transferring from Albany to Florida State, Verse developed into one of the most-feared edge rushers in the country as he racked up 18 sacks in his two seasons with the Seminoles. He was also a first-team All-American selection in both of those seasons.
Verse is slightly on the smaller side for his position at 6-4 and 254 pounds, but he more than makes up for that with his strength, speed and explosiveness.
If Verse is still on the board at No. 8 overall, the Falcons could land potentially the best defensive player in the entire draft.
