New Cleveland Browns star Jared Verse was issued a challenge.
The folks over at FOX Sports have ranked new Cleveland Browns star Jared Verse the 10th-best pass rusher in the NFL.
Analyst Eric D. Williams, though, wants to see more from Verse next season.
"While Verse has been among the league leaders in pressure rate since entering the league in 2024, he still only has 12 sacks in two seasons," Williams wrote. "Verse must become a more consistent closer to be considered among the elite pass rushers in the league. For now, though, he's in the top 10 as the Browns hope he can be a cornerstone moving forward."
Verse won the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year award with the Los Angeles Rams. He enters this season with 12.0 sacks, 71 solo tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 45 QB hits.
Last season, Verse had 58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 27 QB hits and three forced fumbles. The Browns acquired the DE from the Rams in the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade.
Verse has big shoes to fill in Cleveland since Garrett won two Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Browns. However, Verse has made it crystal clear to everyone that he's not in Cleveland to replace Garrett.
"I'm not here to fill [Garrett's] shoes," Verse said. "I'm here to bring my own ... I'm here to work, and I'm here to be the best version of me. And the best version of me is going to be the best defensive player in the league. And the best defensive player in the league is going to play for the best defense in the league."
It will be fascinating to see how Verse performs in his first season with the Browns, who open the 2026 campaign against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Verse is deeply respected by his peers, as he made the NFL Top 100 Players list again.
In 2025, Verse was at No. 53. This year? He's at No. 35.
