HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams went seven years without a first-round pick in the NFL draft, in part, because they felt urgency to make the most of Aaron Donald’s exceptional presence.

After selecting Florida State defensive end Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick on Thursday night, the Rams hope he can help them ease into life without one of the most disruptive players in the history of the sport.

“Filling up his role, that’s a hard role to fill,” Verse said on a video call from Phoenix, where he was watching the draft with family and friends. “That’s big shoes to fill. That’s an out-of-this-world player. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime, Hall of Famer, future Hall of Famer.

“That’s one of the best players to ever live. But to be able to be in the position where they expect me to be able to come in there and be able to fill that role, that’s something I’m ready for.”