Falcons Mock Draft: Atlanta Selects Pass Rusher Jared Verse

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to add a pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft - and NFL Network's latest mock provides an answer.

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) during the ACC Championship game. / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris lauded the depth and talent of pass rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft when speaking March 26 at the annual league meetings in Orlando.

Morris is no stranger to capitalizing on deep draft classes. Last year, as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, Morris oversaw the development of two third-round picks in defensive tackle Kobie Turner and outside linebacker Byron Young, who combined for 17 sacks as rookies.

But the Falcons, who ranked tied for 21st in the league with 42 sacks last season, are placing a priority on adding a pass rusher - and even with Morris's recent success working alongside third-round picks, selecting an edge defender at No. 8 overall appears a likely outcome.

In NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein's latest mock draft, the Falcons did exactly that, selecting Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse.

"Pass rusher or pass catcher? This could be the decision at hand for Atlanta, with Verse, Dallas Turner and Rome Odunze on the board," Zierlein writes. "I'm planting a flag for Verse, who has the explosiveness and power that Raheem Morris is likely to covet."

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) during the ACC Championship game. / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The 23-year-old Verse, who stands 6-4, 260 pounds, has been one of college football's most productive pass rushers for the last several years.

In 2022, Verse logged 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks en route to earning first-team All-ACC honors. He was named an All-American by The Athletic and Phil Steele.

Verse followed suit with a similarly strong 2023 season, recording 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He was tabbed as an All-American by several outlets and was once again a first-team All-ACC selection, becoming the first Florida State defensive end to accomplish that feat since Reinard Wilson in 1995-96.

Apart from Verse, the Falcons have been oft linked to Alabama's Turner and UCLA's Laiatu Latu, who may be a strong target should Atlanta trade down from No. 8.

But for now, Morris is focused on evaluation as the Falcons continue to set their board - and the more he evaluates, the more he likes what he sees.

"I think the edge rushers are well known and well documented right now, what they can do," Morris said. "It's about how they fit with us and some of the stuff that they can do with us and how they'll be able to be a part of our football team.

"But I'm really excited with the opportunity to add some of those type of people that are pointed to arrive at some point."