Tag: Braden Fiske

2024 NFL Draft: Florida State DL Braden Fiske scouting report

Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske had an amazing scouting combine, but his NFL team had better have a clear plan for his on-field success.

There are those draft prospects who show up at the scouting combine ready to demolish every test, forcing NFL evaluators to go back to their tape with a new eye for things. Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske was one such prospect at the 2024 combine, as he put up testing numbers among the best for any interior defensive lineman in recent memory.

Fiske did destroy the 2024 combine in a positive sense, but what does that mean for his NFL future? After four seasons at Western Michigan, Fiske transferred to Florida State in time for the 2023 season, amassing six sacks, 28 total pressures, 29 solo tackles, and 26 stops against stronger competition. His athleticism on tape absolutely aligns with what we saw at the combine, but Fiske’s deployment at the next level will be crucial to his success — whoever drafts him had better have a very clear plan.

PLUSES

— Preposterous combine numbers show up on tape when he has to chase down quarterbacks and running backs in the open field.

— Has a great move to cross the face of the blocker and slip in to pressure.

— Shoots out of the gate right off the snap; less reactive blockers could get beaten before they get their hands up.

— Can be dynamite on stunts and games with the ability to cross multiple gaps with ease.

MINUSES

— Really short arms (31″, third percentile for IDL), and he’ll get negated by power and double-teams without more of a plan with his hands.

— More of an immediate speed-rusher than a guy who will win leverage battles.

— Might be maxed-out physically; not sure if you can add more than his 292 pounds without making him look more like a guard.

Fiske is an interesting prospect — a tweener in a lot of ways. His height may preclude him from winning leverage, and his weight gets in the way in power situations.

His NFL team will need to have a VERY clear plan for him. I’d put him on the edge more often than the Seminoles did, just to take advantage of his unusual athleticism, and he could be a real boss in a stunt-heavy front.

Steelers host FSU DT Braden Fiske for pre-draft visit

Braden Fiske is a highly-athletic defensive lineman out of Florida State.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some pretty clear needs for the 2024 NFL draft. The team needs a starting center, starting wide receiver and starting cornerback. So it would be exactly like the Steelers to have these obvious needs and instead opt for a defensive lineman in the first round.

We bring this up because the Steelers are hosting former Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske for a Top 30 visit. Fiske is a crazy good athlete at 6-foot-4 and 292 pounds. He is a disruptive force whether it lines up inside or outside along the defensive line and fits perfectly with what the Steelers want in a defensive lineman.

Would it shock us to see the Steelers select Fiske? Not at all. Pittsburgh used a second-round pick on Keeanu Benton in 2023 and he’s a star in the making. With Cam Heyward getting older and DeMarvin Leal stalled out in his development, adding Fiske does make a lot of sense.

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2024 NFL mock draft: Seahawks go best player available in 3-round projections

The Seahawks still have a lot of work to do if they’re going to catch up with the true contenders around the league.

The Seahawks still have a lot of work to do if they’re going to catch up with the true contenders around the league. Most of all, that will require a good haul of prospects in the 2024 NFL draft. If they can pull it off, that would make three-straight strong draft classes by Seattle for the first time since the formative Legion of Boom years in 2010-2012.

It’s easier said than done, but if the Seahawks can manage a true Best Player Available strategy in the draft, it would certainly help. Going into our latest mock, we aimed to trade down a couple times to improve the quality of our picks, if not necessarily the quantity. Once on the clock we stuck to a strict best player available approach – drafting the highest-ranked player on the board regardless of position with two small exceptions: no running backs and no double-dipping at any one position.

In the end, we dramatically improved both the offensive and defensive line units with two good prospects coming in for each. Here’s the full 100-pick mock.

Seahawks fans respond to ‘rumor’ about Tyler Lockett trade

Chargers get best player available, fill holes in Chad Reuter’s latest 4-round mock draft

Breaking down the Chargers’ picks in Chad Reuter’s latest four-round mock draft.

The Chargers have a smidge bit of leeway heading into the NFL draft after addressing a few positional needs in free agency, but there are still some critical spots on the roster that need to be filled next month.

In NFL Media’s Chad Reuter’s latest four-round mock draft, he sees Los Angeles taking the best player available at a glaring position of need in the first round and building out the depth chart the rest of the way out.

In Round 1, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. falls in their lap.

The Cardinals, who have the No. 4 overall pick, trade back with the Vikings in this scenario. Minnesota takes their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy, leaving Harrison for the taking.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, the Bolts must add to the wideout room in the worst way.

Harrison is a bonafide star skill player with athleticism, speed, route-running savvy and elite ball skills. He would quickly develop close chemistry with Justin Herbert and boost the offense significantly.

In Round 2, L.A. takes defensive tackle Braden Fiske.

Fiske, the 6-foot-4 and 292-pounder, was a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine. He led all defensive tackles in the vertical (33.5″), broad jump (9’9), and 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds).

That immense athleticism shows up on the football field, as Fiske plays with good movement skills and quickness. While he possesses below-average length, Fiske is crafty with his hands and is strong at the point of attack.

The Chargers signed Poona Ford last week, but they still need to fill out the interior part of the defensive line depth chart.

In Round 3, the Chargers select cornerback DJ James.

James has a lot of experience, having spent his final two seasons at Auburn after three with Oregon. He is a great athlete with the desired coverage skills and knack for the football, as evidenced by leading the SEC in forced incompletions (15) in 2023.

With their first pick in the fourth round, Los Angeles selects running back Will Shipley.

Shipley shows the burst, decisiveness, and receiving ability to be a rotational back, which are all traits that the Bolts could use in the backfield as they look to finish building out the group.

With the additional fourth-round pick they got from the Bears in return for Keenan Allen, L.A. takes offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea.

Jim Harbaugh wants to be more physical up front to aid the running game and that means bolstering the offensive line with his guys. Laumea is an experienced player who logged 44 straight games between right tackle and right guard. He is a fleet-footed mover with a nasty streak.

Saints’ Todd Grantham works out DL Braden Fiske at FSU pro day

New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Todd Grantham has been busy. After visiting Texas, he stopped by Florida State to work out Braden Fiske:

The New Orleans Saints are on the look for more defensive line talent, as they worked out defensive tackle Braden Fiske at Florida State’s pro day on Friday per Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy. Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline reports it was defensive line coach Todd Grantham assigned to check in on one of the 2024 draft’s rising stars.

Fiske dominated the Senior Bowl and then went on to have a great combine. Fiske finished with a 9.89 Relative Athletic Score after a blazing fast 4.78 40-yard dash. He’s a little light, weighing in at under 300 pounds, but makes up for that with his athleticism and skill. He had 19.5 sacks in his college career (which started with a four-year run at Western Michigan before he transferred to FSU). The Saints could use all of the pass rush help that they can get on the defensive line. A duo of Fiske and Bryan Bresee could be fun to watch in black and gold.

Grantham has been busy on the pro day circuit. He also visited the Texas Longhorns last week and was very complimentary of nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat. Both defensive tackles are projected to be picked in the middle of the second round this year, so maybe one of them winds up going to New Orleans at No. 45 overall.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades for QBs shake up Round 1; Ravens retool offensive line

We’re looking at an updated three round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams after the first wave of free agency

The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

Report: Chargers to host Florida State DT Braden Fiske on pre-draft visit

The Chargers are interested in an athletic defensive tackle.

Former Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske will be traveling to Los Angeles for a top-30 visit with the Chargers, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Fiske arrived at Florida State this past season from Western Michigan, and he played a big role for the Seminoles. In 13 appearances, he had 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks. In 2022 at WMU, he had 59 tackles, 12 TFLs and six sacks before making his way to FSU.

Fiske, the 6-foot-4 and 292-pounder, was a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine. He led all defensive tackles in the vertical (33.5″), broad jump (9’9), and 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds).

That immense athleticism shows up on the football field, as Fiske plays with good movement skills and quickness. While he possesses below-average length, Fiske is crafty with his hands and is strong at the point of attack.

The Chargers signed Poona Ford last week, but they still need to fill out the interior part of the defensive line depth chart.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

Baltimore lost five players during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, and with a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first round of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos started to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

The first day of the legal tampering period offered a glimpse into the future after Saquon Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia, Kirk Cousins signed a $100 million contract with the Falcons, and the New York Giants acquired Brian Burns.