Jared Verse, the Cleveland Browns’ new defensive end, has made it to a list of the best players entering this season. There is, however, a small hitch. He ranks at the bottom of the list as the 50th player to watch out for, and Myles Garrett is at the top.

“I’m not going to go as far as to say that he’s going to be Myles Garrett — that would be an asinine argument,” Cody Williams of Fansided wrote. “But I will say that he’s part of a fair return to the Browns. Cleveland’s defense is still going to be a quality force, and Verse will be a major factor in that equation.”

The Cleveland Browns entered June with a blockbuster trade involving their former star defensive end, Myles Garrett. They traded the reigning and two-time Defensive Player of the Year to the Los Angeles Rams. 

In return, they acquired Verse, 25. While the Rams got the better end of this trade, Verse is inheriting huge expectations to fill the shoes of an undisputed superstar. 

On July 22, Fansided ranked the top 50 players going into this season and began the list with Verse. A sign that the Browns made the right choice, but Verse is literally the bottom of the barrel.

He is taking over a huge responsibility: the pressure to maintain the Browns’ elite defense is crushing now more than ever after Garrett’s 2025 run.

The Browns put forth the fourth-best overall defense last season. They allowed just 283.6 yards per game. Garrett racked up 23 sacks and set the new NFL record for most sacks by a player in a season.

Finding another Garrett is nearly impossible, and Verse has just two years of experience. Moreover, the Browns no longer have the architect of their defense. 

Former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz quit after the 2025 season. This season could be a challenging one for the Browns with a new defensive end and coordinator on the roster. 

However, if Verse is highlighted to watch out for, all hope is not lost.

Jared Verse is the only Cleveland Browns player on Fansided’s list of top 50 players

The Cleveland Browns no longer have Myles Garrett to lead their defense as he has for eight seasons. However, Verse holds immense potential.

The Florida State alumnus has just two years' worth of experience but was the defensive rookie of the year in 2024. 

“While having 4.5 and 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons, respectively, might not be fully indicative of that, he’s been exceptionally disruptive,” Cody Williams said of Verse. “He still posted a 16.8% pass rush win rate in the 2025 season and should continue on the ascent.” 

He’s played in every game since his draft, standing at 124 tackles and 12 sacks. Verse’s stats are not like Garrett’s but are formidable nonetheless. Could Verse prove to be the likeness of Garrett and ensure they feel his absence? 

Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar