The Los Angeles Rams (4-4) took a risk in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft by moving up 13 spots to draft Florida State defensive end Braden Fiske. The organization was criticized for overspending by giving up the 155th overall pick and a 2025 second-round pick.
Through eight games, it was starting to look like a genius decision by general manager Les Snead and the Rams for making the jump to grab Fiske. He recorded four tackles, a pair of quarterback hits and a team-high two sacks in the Rams’ Week 9 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks.
I get Fiskey. pic.twitter.com/UouKARo0Lj
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 5, 2024
In short, this kid is legit and the Rams look like the smartest in the room after making the move to draft one of the team’s best defensive players. Fiske has collected 26 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries in his first eight games in the NFL.
The rookie pass rusher also ranks second in quarterback pressure among rookies, just behind his defensive teammate, Jared Vers.
“When we were able to get Jared (THE Jared Verse) and then you look at the consistent, across-the-board love that we had for Braden Fiske, we wanted to figure out a way that we could take him and pair him up with some other guys that we had,” head coach Sean McVay said Monday. “When you look at Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown III and then see Kobie and Byron (LB Byron Young) in their second year and what Michael Hoecht can do as a versatile chess piece. He (Fiske) has done a really good job and he’s so steady and been consistent. He loves the game, he loves competition, and I think he’s getting more and more comfortable and I think he really understands what we’re trying to do, I can’t say enough about the work that’s going on. (defensive coordinator), Chris (Shula) and our other defensive coaches have done to get these guys in a good spot.”
McVay couldn’t be happier with what he’s seen so far this season Fiske and several other rookie defensemen. The fact that this team took multiple draft picks and took a chance on him and succeeded in this big way speaks to the eye for talent this organization possesses.
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