Rams took a Fiske in the 2024 NFL Draft, so how's that working out?

Rams pass rush resumes a robust campaign in Week 17

The LA Rams defense faced unique challenges in 2024. Not only did the team lose a number of productive starters, including the retirement of All-Pro DT Aaron Donald, but the team welcomed new DC Chris Shula. Shula has proven to be a defensive coordinator who can make halftime adjustments, can rally the troops, and perhaps most of all, knows how to add something special when the defense needs to show up in a big way.

That something starts with two powerhouse defensive linemen: DT Kobie Turner and rookie DT Braden Fiske:

When the smoke cleared at the end of Week 17, NT Kobie Turner had added 1.0 QB sacks. OLB Byron Young had added 1.0 QB sacks, and rookie DT Braden Fiske had added 2.0 QB sacks. It was Fiske's third game of 2024 with multiple QB sacks. Tell me again how he was not worth trading up for in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The LA Rams did in fact invest more than many NFL analysts expected to trade up for Florida State defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the 2024 NFL Draft in Round 2 with the 39th overall pick. The Rams had a package of their own pick in Round 2 (52nd overall) with a 2024 NFL Draft pick in Round 5 and a 2025 Round 2 pick.

But the value of any procurement cannot be judged solely by the price paid. Prices vary. The true value of any procurement is the value of what, or who, is acquired. In terms of the NFL Draft, nobody blinks twice over an NFL team trading multiple Round 1 picks to move up to be in a position to select a projected franchise quarterback. And yet, the action taken by the Rams front office - trading up in Round 2 for Braden Fiske - was overwhelmingly viewed and proclaimed to be a mistake.

Oh, really?