The LA Rams worst kept secret is about to become the NFL's worst case scenario

Braden Fiske working to earn trust Rams gave him in draft selection

Let's not start at the beginning with this one. You see, the story may chronologically begin in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the magic began in Round 2. The Rams were clearly dealing with the Baskin Robbins syndrome in that first round, aiming for the potential to select Georgia TE Brock Bowers, then to select Texas DT Byron Murphy II. But fate stepped in, no team was willing to trade back with the Rams, and so the team had to 'make do' at the 19th overall pick.

But when Round 2 came around, the Carolina Panthers, a team in need of draft ammo, was willing to trade back from the 39th to the 52nd overall picks. But to do so, they demanded a huge premium. The Rams would not only need to kick in one of their Round 5 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, but a Round 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Rams paused, pondered, and decided that was a fair price for this player to join the Rams roster.

And so, DT Braden Fiske followed his teammate and friend, OLB Jared Verse, to Los Angeles, California to join the LA Rams football team.

The investment of two Round 2 picks, plus a Round 5 pick, was shocking to many NFL Draft analysts. It was the value equated to a late Round 1 pick. While analysts limited their focus to the realm of picks alone, the Rams saw the potential of keeping two dominating collegiate defenders together and intact to join the NFL. And that, no matter what analysts failed to comprehend, made the trade completely worthwhile.

The second item of a two-piece set will always see its value rise rapidly. And so, the team was valuing the synergy of two Seminoles who had dominated in college football wreaking havoc in the professional ranks.

To some players, arriving to reinforce the defensive line after Aaron Donald retired might mean talk shows, red carpets, and sharing in a loud voice about what that player will do in the NFL. But not Braden Fiske. He was not about to tell anyone what he would do in his rookie season.

He would take the higher path. He would show them.