Rams' up-and-down youngster on breakout watch under Myles Garrett's influence

Not only did adding Myles Garrett make an impressive Los Angeles Rams roster even better, it will immediately make everyone else's life easier. That's why his teammates are excited to take the field alongside him: they know that the looks they’re about to see, with offenses focused on Garrett, will set them up for individual success. That's what adding the best defender in football does.

One of Garrett’s former teammates detailed that experience in a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Defensive tackle Shelby Harris, who spent the last three years with Garrett in Cleveland before joining the Giants this offseason, couldn't help but wax poetic over the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

He went so far as to call Garrett the best he’s ever played with in his 11-year career:

Harris went on to say that even with LA's talented defensive front, Garrett will still force offenses to focus on him. Speaking from experience, Harris said that will open things up for everyone around him.

While that's great news for all Rams defensive linemen, one player who should really be excited is third-year DT Braden Fiske. Playing alongside Garrett will set him up for a breakout season.

Braden Fiske may benefit most from Myles Garrett's presence

A 2024 second-round pick, Fiske is already one of the talented young players who energize the Rams' defensive front. Lining up at right defensive end in LA's 3-4 scheme, Fiske recorded 8.5 sacks and 44 tackles as a rookie. In Year 2, however, his numbers dropped to three sacks and 30 tackles.

Now, as Fiske enters his third season in the league, he should be in for a bounce-back. He will be playing alongside Garrett, after all. Considering that Garrett primarily lines up on the right side of the defense, he will actually be playing right next to Fiske much of the time. Fiske could be the leading beneficiary of all the attention Garrett commands.

While Garrett fends off double- and triple-teams, Fiske will be able to work 1-on-1 and take advantage of teams occasionally forgetting about him. That should help him get in a groove en route to a productive season a step above his sophomore output.

A full-on breakout may be coming. For now, we wait.

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