Los Angeles Rams select Braden Fiske in second round of 2024 NFL Draft

Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske has been selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, taken with the No. 39 overall pick. The Rams sent the 52nd pick, a fifth-rounder (155th overall) and a 2025 second-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for the right to select Fiske.

Fiske had a tremendous season at Florida State in 2023, his lone year with the program after transferring in from Western Michigan.

The talented defensive lineman was named a third-team AP All-American and a second-team All-ACC selection after starting 13 games and racking up 43 tackles, 9.0 tackles for a loss and 6.0 sacks as a senior.

That strong season followed five excellent years at Western Michigan, where Fiske turned into a star.

During his time with the Broncos, Fiske recorded 148 tackles, 27.5 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick.

That kind of all-around production made Fiske a coveted prospect in the NFL Draft.

There are a ton of physical tools to work with at the next level, and Fiske could have some position flexibility at 6 foot 4, 292 pounds.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Braden Fiske

Fiske isn’t your prototypical mammoth tackle type. Instead, he’s much more quick-twitched and has the ability to be a real disruptor on the interior of the defensive line.

How that translates to the NFL level remains to be seen.

But if his game tape is any indication, Fiske will give it 100% on every snap, which means he’s got a really high potential ceiling.

Writes NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein in evaluating Braden Fiske:

“Defensive tackle with below-average mass and length who makes up for it with above-average quickness and a constantly revving engine. Fiske uses sudden hands and nimble feet to whip single blocks. Once he finds daylight, he flies to whoever has the ball. He doesn’t have the anchor to sit down and muddy gaps, so scheme will be important for him.

“Fiske is a hustle rusher who can win quick or late if opponents don’t play with proper hand usage and match his energy. He lacks ideal measurables but has a chance to become an impact defender.”