The Los Angeles Rams will attempt to replace Aaron Donald in the aggregate as they took multiple defensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jared Verse was the Rams’ first first-round selection since 2016, but the team also made an aggressive move to trade up in the second round to select Braden Fiske. Verse and Fiske were teammates at Florida State and now the two reunite in Los Angeles where they’re expected to be day one starters.
While Verse will operate along the edge, Fiske is slated to play on the interior though he has experience moving around up front. An athletic marvel, Fiske has good speed and strength despite his shorter frame.
He plays like he has a chip on his shoulder and he admitted that being wanted by the Rams has made him even more determined to prove himself, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“I think it just makes me a little hungrier,” Fiske told theRams.com. “I mean, I had 50 people send me the (Behind The) Grind video, and that feels good. It feels good to see how the reaction was from the people here in the building – they want me here in L.A. They’re bringing a guy in that they want to succeed, they’re bringing a guy in they wanted to draft him the whole time, which is cool, because I had no idea I was going to the Rams.”
Teaming up with Verse again is an exciting prospect for Fiske who can’t seem to wait to hit the field with him:
“It’s cool just to build up that and what we can implement on this defense,” Fiske said. “I think there’s a lot of opportunities for us to come here and succeed, and I’m just excited for how much more we can grow as a unit. Having that bond with me and him, it’s something we’ve both been chasing, we’re both super hungry for what we’re going after out there. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m excited to see where we get to. It’s gonna be real cool.”
Fiske is similar to Donald in that they were athletic, but undersized defensive tackles coming out of college. While no one expects Fiske to replace Donald, he can make an impact immediately as a rookie.
Les Snead explains why Rams traded up to select Braden Fiske in 2024 NFL Draft
General manager Les Snead explained that Los Angeles traded up for Braden Fiske because they were able to land an outside linebacker in Verse with their first-round pick.
