Why Browns' Jared Verse is not a top-10 edge rusher in ESPN's NFL poll

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The Cleveland Browns traded away Myles Garrett this offseason, and the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and new sack record holder, is the best defender in the league.

A new poll from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler had NFL scouts, executives, and coaches ranking Garrett as the best edge rusher in the NFL. In return for the Los Angeles Rams, the Browns got three picks and young edge rusher Jared Verse.

So, while Garrett ranks as the best edge in the NFL, Verse fell out of the top-10 in this poll. One AFC executive revealed why Verse, despite being a "beast," is not a top-10 edge rusher right now.

Why Jared Verse is not a top-10 edge rusher just yet

"Love Verse, but some of the other rushers higher than him have a lot more variety, whereas Verse is all power at times," this AFC executive said. "But he's only going to get better and have a great career. He's a beast."

While it's a bit disappointing that Verse isn't a top-10 edge rusher, the reasoning is simple: Verse is still not a fully developed player just yet.

The new Browns edge needs to have a little more variety in his pass-rushing game, and that could come in the form of more speed-rushing moves.

Fortunately, Verse is just 25 years old and coming off just his second season in the NFL. It's well within the realm of possibility for Verse to develop a bit more in his pass-rushing bag, especially in the speed department, as he progresses in his career.

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After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 and earning Pro Bowl nods each of the last two years, Verse is now going to have to develop further on a new team.

It's a bit of a challenge, especially since his defense around him won't be as good as it was in Los Angeles. He's going to have to progress in a slightly worse environment. It won't be easy, but as Garrett showed, it's possible to thrive as an edge rusher in Cleveland.

But, if Verse can continue his progression, as he did going from 4.5 sacks in his rookie year to 7.5 sacks this past season, he could enter the top-10 edge rushers in 2027.

The Browns traded the unanimous No. 1-ranked edge rusher in the NFL for Verse, a first-rounder in 2027, second rounder in 2028, and a third-rounder in 2029.

If Verse can climb into the top-10 and ascend this ranking in the coming years, this trade could look perfectly fine for the Browns despite giving up Garrett, who might be the NFL's best defensive player right now.