Tag: Braden Fiske

Instant analysis: Despite trade cost, Rams hit a home run with Braden Fiske

Despite some concerns over the value, the Rams make another excellent selection, plucking another talent from Florida State with Braden Fiske

It should come as no surprise that the Los Angeles Rams selected a Florida State defensive lineman in Round 2 considering that’s exactly what they did on Thursday night. A second-round selection came sooner than expected via a controversial trade with the Panthers.

The Rams traded Picks 52, 155, and a 2025 second-rounder for Braden Fiske, causing some to freak out over the “fleece” by the Carolina Panthers, the original owner of the 39th overall pick.

They reference the trade value chart as the basis for their reasoning but here’s the truth: The value chart doesn’t matter if the player is a stud and that’s exactly what the Rams got in Fiske.

After a dominant career at Western Michigan, he transferred to Florida State where Fiske and Rams first-round pick Jared Verse helped anchor a defensive line that was devastating.

Fiske shot up draft boards after a phenomenal combine, placing first in his position group for the 40-yard dash, broad jump, and vertical jump. He also tied for first in the 20-yard shuttle.

Fiske gets off blocks well, has a nice “push-pull” pass rush move, and has a tremendous motor. He will help open things up for his interior defensive line partner Kobie Turner. Pairing a player with Fiske’s talents alongside Turner, Byron Young, and his collegiate teammate, Verse, gives the Rams one of the youngest and brightest defensive lines in the NFL.

Fiske won’t replace Aaron Donald. At least not immediately, but the Rams will need to replace Donald’s production in the aggregate. Verse and Fiske will be more than enough to do that.

It is an excellent pick and considering that the Rams still have a vast amount of Day 3 picks, this is a home run selection.

 

Watch highlights of Braden Fiske, the Rams’ new defensive lineman

Braden Fiske is a high-motor defender who never gives up on a play and consistently works his way into the backfield

The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line lost a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Donald this offseason after he retired from the NFL, so the front office had to begin rebuilding along the defensive front. They did so early in the draft by selecting Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske with the 39th overall pick, a selection that was made after trading up from No. 52.

The Rams obviously loved Fiske’s game and didn’t want to let him get away, moving up 13 spots to ensure he would wear blue and yellow. Fiske was a teammate of Verse at Florida State and the two of them wreaked havoc up front for the Seminoles.

Fiske had six sacks last season to go with nine tackles for a loss, helping Florida State go undefeated in the regular season. When you flip on the tape, you see a relentless defender who never gives up on a play and is always working to get off his blocks, which leads to impactful plays.

Take a look at his highlight reel from 2023, his only season at FSU.

Where Jared Verse and Braden Fiske fit on Rams’ depth chart

How do Jared Verse and Braden Fiske fit into the Rams’ depth chart? Both should be early contributors on defense.

There’s a long way to go until we reach the start of the 2024 season, but there’s no question the Los Angeles Rams got better on defense with their first two picks in the draft. They dramatically improved the defensive front, which was lacking talent following Aaron Donald’s retirement.

Jared Verse has a chance to be an instant starter at outside linebacker opposite Byron Young, who had a terrific rookie season in 2023. Braden Fiske, meanwhile, is a versatile defensive lineman who can play multiple different spots up front.

Kobie Turner and Young were solid building blocks in the trenches, but the front improved dramatically with the additions of Verse and Fiske in the first two rounds.

So where do the two former Florida State Seminoles fit in on the depth chart? Again, it’s very early and they haven’t even put a jersey on yet, but they’re going to compete for meaningful snaps right away. We’re penciling Verse in as a starter at outside linebacker, with Fiske taking over the 5-technique spot alongside Bobby Brown III and Turner.

Fiske’s natural position is 3-technique where Donald played, and he’ll likely line up there a bunch, but his versatility allows him to play defensive end, too. With Turner and Fiske, they’re almost interchangeable so new defensive coordinator Chris Shula has a lot of options.

Here’s a look at how the depth chart projects right now with four-plus months until Week 1.

OLB Jared Verse Michael Hoecht Ochaun Mathis
DE Braden Fiske Larrell Murchison
NT Bobby Brown III Cory Durden
DT Kobie Turner Desjuan Johnson
OLB Byron Young Nick Hampton Keir Thomas Zach VanValkenburg

 

Jared Verse and Braden Fiske are thrilled to be teammates again: ‘It’s unbelievable’

Jared Verse and Braden Fiske were teammates at FSU and will remain on the same team with the Rams. They couldn’t be more excited.

Jared Verse and Braden Fiske both went into the draft as projected top-50 picks, but they probably didn’t expect the same team to draft both of them. The two Florida State defenders had a big impact for the Seminoles and they’ll try to continue that as members of the Los Angeles Rams.

After the Rams drafted Jared verse with the 19th overall pick, they came back on Day 2 and selected Fiske at No. 39 overall following a trade up from the 52nd pick. Coincidentally, Verse had just gotten to the Rams’ draft headquarters when the selection of Fiske happened.

Needless to say, he was thrilled to learn his former FSU teammate was joining him in Southern California as the newest member of the Rams.

Verse then went on Twitter and shared his excitement with his followers, posting a photo of himself and Fiske in their FSU uniforms.

Fiske was equally pumped about the chance to remain teammates with Verse. He called it “unbelievable and “a blessing,” mentioning how he and Verse talked about the possibility of playing together in the NFL.

Now they’ll get that chance.

The Rams always look for diligent workers and players who love football, which both Verse and Fiske do. Fiske told reporters that he and Verse would be watching film late at night together, pushing each other to be better and better.

Fiske quickly learned after arriving at FSU in 2023 that he wanted to stay around Verse for his work ethic.

Trade value chart says Rams got fleeced in deal with Panthers for Braden Fiske

According to the trade value chart, the Rams were on the losing end of their deal with the Panthers to draft Braden Fiske

Trades during the NFL draft are never perfectly even for both teams, but it seems the Los Angeles Rams were squarely on the losing end of their deal with the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.

The Rams traded up from No. 52 to 39, giving up the 155th overall pick and a 2025 second-rounder to get the deal over the finish line. The Rams used the 39th selection to take Braden Fiske out of Florida State, a player they clearly coveted given how much they traded to get him.

Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap laid out the point value of the trade based on the value chart, and the Rams apparently got fleeced. Their picks were worth 2,334 points, while the 39th pick was only worth 1,143 points.

It won’t matter much if Fiske pans out and becomes a productive player for the Rams, but that was a lot given up by Los Angeles to draft the former Seminole defensive tackle.

The hope is that the Rams win a bunch of games next season and have a later pick anyway, driving down the value of the 2025 second-rounder they gave up.

Rams NFL Draft grade: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State 39th overall

2024 NFL draft grade for the Rams selecting Florida State DT Braden Fiske

The Los Angeles Rams double dip in both the defensive line and players from Florida State after snagging edge rusher Jared Verse in the first round and now have landed Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske.

Fiske projects inside as Aaron Donald’s replacement from day one, and while they are obviously not the same player, Fiske should be able to provide some of the pass rush void left behind, along with Kobie Turner and fellow rookie Jared Verse.

An explosive athlete who has a sudden get-off and can blow through top college offensive linemen, Fiske is going to make his impact felt along the defensive line early. While he looms in one of the largest NFL shadows, expect Fiske to produce right away.

Grade: B

Rams trade up 13 spots, select Florida State DT Braden Fiske in Round 2

The Rams moved up 13 spots to draft Florida State DT Braden Fiske, giving up a 5th-rounder and 2025 2nd-rounder to make it happen

After attempting to trade up for Brock Bowers on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Rams struck a deal on Friday night in Round 2 instead. They moved up 13 spots from No. 52 to 39, selecting Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske.

Fiske was college teammates with the Rams’ top pick, Jared Verse, at Florida State so this is a reunion between the two defensive linemen. With Aaron Donald retired, it makes complete sense that the Rams would target a defensive tackle, especially one as athletic and with as much upside as Fiske has.

The Rams did pay a hefty price to go get him, though. In addition to the 52nd overall pick, the Rams gave up No. 155 in the fifth round and a second-rounder in 2025.

Like Verse, Fiske was a player who transferred to Florida State, joining the Seminoles in 2023. Last season, he had six sacks and nine tackles for a loss to go with 43 total tackles.

He ran a 4.78 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, posting a 33.5-inch vertical and 26 reps on the bench press.

Chargers mock draft roundup: Who Los Angeles is projected to take in Rounds 2-3

Analysts project what the Chargers will do with their picks on Day 2.

The Chargers came out of the first round with offensive tackle Joe Alt. After the selection, Los Angeles should have their focus on wide receiver, cornerback and the interior part of the defensive line.

General manager Joe Hortiz will have picks No. 37 and 69 to add more talent to the roster.

With that, here’s a glimpse at who L.A. could add on Friday based on what a few mock drafts are projecting.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso 

Round 2: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State

Analysis: “Keon Coleman is a young wideout who plays a tick faster than his timed speed and flashes acrobatic catch skill.”

Round 3: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein

Round 2: DT Braden Fiske, Florida State

Analysis: “Fiske is all gas and no brakes on every single snap, which is exactly what Jim Harbaugh is looking for.”

Round 3: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Pro Football Focus’ John Kosko & Trevor Sikkema

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Analysis: “The Chargers need to improve almost everywhere on defense. They find a versatile defensive lineman in Newton. He has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment from three-technique to five-technique.”

Round 3: RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas

“Brooks is an ideal blend of size, speed, strength and agility. Though limited in snap totals, he has good vision in both gap and zone run schemes. If he can get back to form following his torn ACL, he has all the goods to be a starting running back in the NFL.”

NBC Sports’ Eric Froton

Round 2: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa

Analysis: “A tweener who many scouts profile as a slot corner/safety in addition to having game-breaking punt return prowess, DeJean allowed a 38% catch rate with just 44 YAC on 20 receptions this season. The Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and member of the famed Bruce Feldman “Freaks List”, DeJean could be the Chargers’ new version of Eric Weddle.”

Round 3: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan

ESPN’s Steve Muench

Round 2: WR Ladd McConkey

Analysis: “The Chargers address their most pressing need at receiver after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen this offseason, snagging the No. 31 overall player on my board.”

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame

Round 2: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Round 3: TE Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler

Round 2: LB Junior Colson, Michigan

Round 3: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Analysis: “Given the Chargers’ need for another running back and Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for Corum, this match feels almost too obvious.”

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar

Round 2: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Cameron Jordan has a hot take on Saints’ first-round pick: ‘I’m very biased’

Cameron Jordan has a hot take on what the Saints should do with their first-round pick: ‘I’m very biased’

Everyone has their own ideas about what the New Orleans Saints should do with their first round pick in the 2024 NFL draft — including players already on the team. Cameron Jordan sat down with NFL Network to preview the first round of selections on Thursday, and he shared his take on where the Saints should look to improve with the 14th overall pick.

“Who do I want? I’m very biased,” Jordan laughed. “If y’all are thinking top-10, offense galore, I’m thinking No. 14, defense. Run me the big defensive tackle. I like the little Florida State kid. I really like a Texas D-tackle. Just know, if it doesn’t happen in the first I’m still looking for our second or our fifth round pick. I think we have like four fifth round picks, we could trade up.”

The players Jordan is referring to there have been linked to the Saints at different points in this process: Florida State’s Braden Fiske and Texas products Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat.

Jordan’s position coach Todd Grantham attended both school’s pro day workouts and personally put Fiske through his paces. While Murphy is someone who could be realistic at No. 14, Fiske and Sweat are each expected to be picked later in the draft, which is why Jordan sees them as possible trade targets.

But why does he see defensive tackle as such a high priority? Jordan is always asking for more linemen around draft time in these media spots, whether it’s another pass rusher or more depth on the interior. At this point it’s part of his brand. Murphy would be an awesome pairing with Bryan Bresee in the middle of the line, but the Saints really can’t afford to not address their offensive tackle spots in Round 1. Maybe they’ll surprise us and make Jordan happy.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Giants pass on quarterbacks in latest 7-round mock from PFF

In the latest seven-round mock draft from PFF, the New York Giants pass on quarterbacks entirely in favor of bolstering their roster.

The 2024 NFL draft is exactly a week away and, yes we know, you are weary of mock drafts, but let us hit you with one more — a seven-round mock from the folks at Pro Football Focus.

In this mock, the New York Giants do not make any moves — up or back — pass on a quarterback and select who many believe could be the best player in this draft class in LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in Round 1.

Nabers’ movement skills are rare, even at the NFL level. His ability to change direction yet continue to accelerate makes him an open-target specialist in the slot and on the outside. He has the kind of athleticism that demands a defense to know where he is at all times as a future WR1.

In the second round, at No. 47 overall, the Giants fortify their already solid front seven with Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske.

Fiske’s measurements are not ideal, but he has an NFL-level football IQ and pass-rush quickness to be a potential impact player as a 4-3 defensive tackle, even with some run-defense deficiencies.

In Round 3, the Giants select Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson with the 70th overall pick. It is a position of utmost need this offseason.

Jackson is an alluring prospect because his combination of size and athleticism doesn’t come around often. However, he must anticipate routes better and not rely on his recovery speed as much. If he can do this, he can be a starting-caliber cornerback in the NFL with a shutdown skill set.

On Day 3, the Giants add a running back (USC’s MarShawn Lloyd), another cornerback in Nehemiah Pritchett of Auburn, and an offensive tackle, Louisiana’s Nathan Thomas.

PFF grades this draft an A. In reviewing the draft, the Giants get themselves a much-needed offensive weapon and stud in Nabers and bolster their roster with the other five picks.

Of course, we don’t know who they passed on in favor of this group, but this effort appears to be pretty much what many experts are expecting from general manager Joe Schoen come next week in Detroit.

[lawrence-related id=726213,726209,726205]