The Los Angeles Rams selected Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske with the No. 39 pick in Friday’s second round of the NFL Draft after a trade with the Panthers.
The 6-foot-3, 292-pound defensive tackle started his career at Western Michigan before joining the Seminoles for one season. At Florida State, he had 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks.
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‘The Beast’ breakdown
Fiske ranked No. 71 in Dane Brugler’s Top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide:
“A one-year starter at Florida State, Fiske lined up primarily over the B-gap in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s four-man front. After showing year-over-year improvements at Western Michigan, he transferred to Tallahassee for his sixth season and continued to take his game to new heights against better competition. A sawed-off, throwback brawler (he doesn’t wear gloves), Fiske generates movement with his get-off, agility and raw power, creating stress on the blocking scheme with his disruptive qualities. While his effectiveness can fluctuate from play to play, his effort sustains whether he is splitting doubles or holding the point of attack. Overall, Fiske doesn’t have a deep arsenal of counters if he doesn’t win early, but he already has a professional mindset and his twitchy urgency and steady play strength will translate well to the pro game. He projects as a rotational three-technique with versatility to move around an aggressive front.”
Scott Dochterman grades the pick
Wow did the Rams give up a ton to move up 13 spots in the second round. Another second-rounder next year? That’s way, way too much.. That’s not to say Braden Fiske isn’t worth a second-rounder. After transferring from Western Michigan to Florida State, Fiske finished with nine tackles for loss and six sacks for the Seminoles and impressed everyone with his intensity. Fiske (6-3 ½, 292) won’t wow anyone with his physical abilities at this level, but his work ethic and toughness will garner immediate respect.
Grade: D
How he fits
Not only did the Rams draft Fiske’s teammate on Thursday night at No. 19 overall — Jared Verse — they found immediate help for the interior of their defensive line and a partner for starter Kobie Turner. The Rams traded up to No. 39, sending the Carolina Panthers Nos. 52, 155 and a 2025 second-rounder — and Fiske was selected right as Verse arrived at the Rams’ draft house in Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Rookie impact
Fiske will be expected to immediately start, because of the hole that previously existed at the position. Alongside Turner, the Rams now have a defensive line that features all rookies or second-year players, with outside linebacker Byron Young on the edge opposite Verse.
Depth-chart impact
Fiske should start on the inside even over Bobby Brown III (although he will have a role as a nose tackle) after the latter has struggled to stay on the field since his rookie season.
They also could have picked ….
Iowa defensive back Cooper Dejean was also selected around this pick point, but Fiske was the Rams’ top target entering the second day — hence the trade.
Fast evaluation
There’s no replacing recently retired star Aaron Donald, but the combination of Fiske and Verse, who worked well together in college, could bring immediate continuity to a defensive line working to find its identity.
(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
