After the Rams traded up to select Braden Fiske, they ink him quickly

While there are no expectations that newly drafted rookie DT Braden Fiske can replace the void left on the LA Rams roster after the retirement of DT Aaron Donald, there is plenty of hope that he can somehow compensate this year with a very productive rookie season. After all, the Rams did invest multiple draft picks to trade from 52 up to 39th overall in Round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft to select the Florida State Seminoles behemoth.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 292 pounds, Fiske is a throwback to old-school defense, a versatile firestorm who can slide all over the Rams defensive front, and who many draft analysts project to be more than just a starter in the NFL, but one who will raise the bar for other players at his position.

Fiske is not a carbon copy of NT Kobie Turner, but their playing styles are very similar. Like 'The Conductor,' Fiske leverages his agility, speed, and power to control the defensive line of scrimmage. He is proficient at splitting double teams, has an arsenal of pass rush moves that threaten the quarterback even from an interior defensive line position, and has the power to threaten quarterbacks right up the gut.

While the Rams front office has to view Fiske and outside linebacker Jared Verse as a package deal, it's Fiske who is the first to sign on the dotted line.

With Fiske signing (was there any question that he would?), the Rams have secured a four-year starter on the defensive line. He is absolutely a key rotational player at either NT or DT in this defensive front. His agility and speed even allow him to loop around on stunts to attack from the outside as well.

Fiske is a corner piece to the Rams defensive jigsaw puzzle. Pairing him with OLB Jared Verse will yield similar results to the team pairing OLB Byron Young with NT Kobie Turner in 2023. Look for them to harmonize with one another all season, as well as create that friendly competition that motivated Young and Turner throughout last season.

The front office had already added two starters to the defensive front last season. Right now, it appears that the personnel department has drafted two more starters to the team's defensive front this year. That sets up this season to be a lot of fun for the team and fans.

I am already looking forward to seeing rookie DT Braden Fiske in action. How about you?

As always, thanks for reading.