The Los Angeles Rams have high hopes for their young group of talent, particularly their newest draft class as they appear poised to play roles immediately.
Jared Verse was the Rams’ first first-round selection since 2016, but the team paired him with his Florida State teammate Braden Fiske after trading up in the second round to get him. While Verse’s versatility makes him an exciting prospect, he’s expected to start outside opposite of Byron Young. This would mean Fiske has the inside track to start on the interior next to Kobie Turner.
Fiske walks into an unenvious situation as he is the de facto replacement for Aaron Donald, who retired earlier in the year. While no one expects Fiske to be anyone but himself, there is still pressure to perform in such a critical spot on the defense.
The rookie has gotten opportunities to speak to Donald and he called him the greatest of all time and knows that won’t be easy to replace, via DJ Siddiqi of Forbes:
“Big shoes to fill – we’re talking about the greatest ever. I’ve said it countless times – it’s the G.O.A.T,” says Fiske of Donald in an exclusive one-on-one interview. “I full-heartedly feel that way about him and we’ve had small conversations — that’s been cool. It is what it is. I don’t think you ever replace the G.O.A.T. I have to go out there and do what I do.”
While Fiske might be viewed as Donald’s heir, the former Seminole is focused on carving his own path in the NFL:
“I have to be me,” says Fiske. “I have to build my own legacy and that’s what I’m looking forward to. I don’t feel like I’m really filling shoes, but I have to create my own shoes. That’s kind of what it is. I’m just excited to be a part of it and I know that’ll kind of always be the comparison of who’s going to fill his shoes, but somebody has to do it.”
It would be a disservice to expect a rookie to come in and make the same sort of impact that Donald did when he was on the field, but Fiske is a talented player who seems to be determined to prove himself in the league.
Braden Fiske was surprised Rams traded up for him in 2024 NFL Draft
Braden Fiske helped himself greatly during the pre-draft process as he went from a projected late-Day 2 pick to an early one. However, even Fiske had to admit he was surprised to hear that the Rams traded up for him.
