The Browns had their sights set on Jared Verse

The Cleveland Browns made a blockbuster trade on Monday, deciding to send the best defensive player in the NFL, Myles Garrett, to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse, a first-round draft pick, a second-round draft pick, and a third-round draft pick.

The Browns were focused on getting a young up-and-coming defense player to take Garrett’s roster spot, and Verse was the specific player they wanted, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Though Verse isn’t on the same level as Garrett, it is easy to see what the Browns like about the former Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024.

Per PFF, Verse recorded 100 quarterback pressures in 2025, up from 89 in his rookie season in 2024. The biggest thing Verse needs to do is convert more of his pressures into sacks. He only had 4.5 sacks as a rookie and followed it up with 7.5 sacks in 2025.

He’s affecting the quarterback, but he needs to get the sack numbers up. He will turn 26 this year, and the Cleveland Browns have three more years of control if you include the fifth-year option.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: The Browns had their sights set on Jared Verse