Still reeling a bit from the trade of Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns fans have not truly had the opportunity to embrace their new defensive end, Jared Verse. This is a tough spot for Verse to walk into, despite being a two-time Pro Bowler and 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. No matter how good he has been, or how good he will be for the Browns, the expectations among the fanbase are sky-high from seeing a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year rush the passer for the last nine seasons.
However, this does not take away from how good Verse has been since entering the NFL, nor how good he can still be for the Browns after coming over from the Los Angeles Rams. What should Browns fans expect from Verse in 2026, however? ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2026 NFL stat projections, and he, too, is a fan of Verse and what he can bring to the city of Cleveland.
Here is what Clay expects out of the new Browns’ defensive end this season:
Expectations for the Browns’ new DE
ESPN projects that Verse will rack up eight sacks for the Browns this season after coming over from the Rams. This would be on par with his first two Pro Bowl seasons in his first two NFL seasons, including one year where he brought home the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2024.
For the sake of the Browns and their fans, double digits would be the number that would ease the pain of losing the player who just broke the NFL record for sacks in a single season. Verse has been one of the NFL’s leaders in pressures since entering the league, but there is a hope in Cleveland that more of those pressures can be converted into sacks in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns DE Jared Verse 2026 projection: Can he exceed expectataions?
Reporting by Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire / Browns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire | USA TODAY Network
