The Los Angeles Rams traded their 2024 and 2025 second-round picks, as well as pick 155 to move up to pick 39 with the Carolina Panthers to select Florida State Braden Fiske. They reunite Fiske with Jared Verse, who the Rams took in the first-round of this draft.
Braden Fiske Scouting Report
Strengths
- Very good quickness
- Very good motor
- Very good competitive toughness
- Good play strength
- Good awareness
Weaknesses
- Below-average length
- Below-average lower body strength
- Average pad level
- Average pass rush plan
- Average block shedding ability
- Injuries in multiple seasons
Braden Fiske is a competitive defensive tackle who can be a valuable part of a rotation at the next level. Fiske wins with his very good quickness off the line of scrimmage that he uses to shoot gaps or create movement at the point of attack. He has good play strength that knock blockers back. With his quickness, Fiske can be used on stunts and loops as a pass rusher. Florida State lined him up in multiple spots throughout the year.
Fiske isn’t as developed as a pass-rusher as I have seen others suggest. He has to be pinpoint with his hands to make up for his lack of length. He has a good initial club or swim he’ll pull out, but if his initial rush fails, he stalls out and gets controlled by blockers.
Fiske is role-limited at the next level. He doesn’t have enough “sand in his pants” to anchor and hold up against double-teams. Fiske’s issues in the run game make me believe he is a three-technique only, and I’m unsure how much upside he has to develop there. Fiske battled multiple injuries in his career and is already 24 years old, capping his development trajectory.
Draft Grade
Fiske graded out towards the end of the third-round for me, so taking him at 52 would have been a slight reach. The fact that the Rams gave two second-round picks to move up for him is way too much. He's 24 years old with multiple injuries and doesn't do much to aid their run defense in any way. Just as low of a draft grade as I can give.
