A survey of NFL executives, scouts and coaches sees a former Cleveland Browns edge rusher and a current one mentioned on a ranking of the top 10 edge rushers.
The lead-up to training camps commencing later this month across the NFL is filled with all kinds of rankings and lists. Some of those even feature the opinions of some of the league's top leaders.
ESPN is in the process of rolling out a series of player rankings that are based on the survey responses of from executives, coaches and scouts around the NFL. The network's latest list highlighted the league's 10 best edge rushers, and the Cleveland Browns were well represented.
Naturally, the list started with a former Browns star in Myles Garrett, who will be suiting up for the Los Angeles Rams next season following the blockbuster trade on June 1 that sent him west.
In the aftermath of a memorable 2025 campaign that saw Garrett set the single-season sack record, it should come as no surprise that he was unanimously chosen for the top spot by those who participated in the survey.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, it will no longer reap the benefits of having Garrett line up along the defensive line. That's the Rams' luxury now. But that doesn't mean the Browns are devoid of talent at the position. It's no secret that Jared Verse was the key piece of the Garrett trade that convinced GM Andrew Berry to pull the trigger on the deal, along with a haul of future picks that includes a 2027 first rounder.
Verse didn't quite make the official top 10, but his name also appeared on the list as an honorable mention.
© Mike Cardew / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThe ranking, put together by Jeremy Fowler, included quotes from anonymous participants, including two AFC executives who had positive things to say about Verse.
"I thought he improved in his second year with a better rush plan, sets up moves with better timing," said one AFC exec.
"Love Verse, but some of the other rushers higher than him have more variety, whereas Verse is all power at times. But he's only going to get better and have a great career. He's a beast," said another.
The general consensus seems to be that Verse isn't quite at a top 10 level just yet, but at 25, has plenty of room to continue to grow into one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
The fact that he was an honorable mention, though, means he did make some of the lists that were submitted, so he's undoubtedly on the radar.
No, Verse is not Garrett, who is a generational talent, but the fact that he's being mentioned among the best edge rushers in the league further confirms the haul that Berry got in return for Garrett last month was a good one.
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