Dynasty Player Profile: Braden Fiske

Braden Fiske | Florida State    6’4” | 292 lbs    01/18/2000 (Age 24)

Braden Fiske was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, becoming the fifth Defensive Tackle and 39th overall player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Fiske began his college career as an unheralded recruit, starting out at Western Michigan. He redshirted as a true freshman. His next season in 2019 he played in 12 games as a reserve and recorded 24 tackles, 2 TFLs and one sack. In 2020 he started all six games in a covid-shortened season, logging 23 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and a blocked kick. Fiske cracked the starting lineup in 2021, starting 12 of 13 games and logging 43 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, and 4.0 sacks. 

In 2022 he earned Second-team All-MAC honors after starting all 12 games and racking up 59 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, three PBUs, and two forced fumbles. He transferred to Florida State for his final season in 2023. There he earned Third-team Associated Press All-American and Second-team All-ACC honors He started 13 games and made 43 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, and 6.0 sacks. 

FILM

An undersized lineman with a strong work ethic and a never-quit motor, Braden Fiske overcomes the odds with hard work and quick hands and feet. These traits allowed him to excel at Western Michigan and, eventually, in the ACC at Florida State as well. Fiske doesn’t impress with the eyeball test but he plays with the heart of Rudy. He tested well at the combine, and though he doesn’t possess great length, his effort and activity, coupled with his quick hands and feet, allow him to win most one-on-one situations. His relentless motor will produce some late-win ability in terms of sacks and TFLs on plays that get extended. 

Fiske gives up a lot to offensive linemen in terms of size, so he is not the ideal defender to take on double-teams. Bigger lineman can neutralize him if they get their hands into his chest. Still, the traits and effort offer enough to create consistent production at the NFL level in the right defensive scheme. 

ATHLETIC TESTING

Fiske participated in each of the NFL Scouting Combine tests, recording an impressive 4.78 40-yard dash with a 1.68 10-yard split. His vertical and broad jumps were strong at 33.5” and 9’9” respectively. He ran an impressive 4.37 20-yard short shuttle and repped 225 lbs on the bench press 26 times. 

DRAFT ANALYSIS 

Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great

Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Excellent

Fiske was selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. 

FANTASY INSIGHTS

The Los Angeles Rams were in desperate need of defensive line help during the draft. Perhaps the best defensive lineman of all time, Aaron Donald, had just retired. Fiske lands in a spot with a tremendous opportunity to become an immediate starter and at minimum a viable contributor. The Rams hit on last year’s rookie D-lineman in Kobie Turner and Byron Young. However, it remains to be seen how much of their rookie production was a result of former teammate Aaron Donald’s presence on the field. Regardless, these players have proven capable. Additionally, Michael Hoecht and Bobby Brown are young veterans still on the defensive front. The Rams also drafted Jared Verse with the first-round pick in the draft. 

While the unit is very young, there is tremendous potential with this group. This makes for a great landing spot for Fiske (and Verse for that matter). There is always the chance Aaron Donald returns from time to time to tutor the young squad. Perhaps he will even pull a “Gronk” and skip training camp and preseason, only to un-retire before the season begins. Its not totally unlikely when you consider Donald was slated to make just under $2 million per game played. Still, if he does, that only increases Fiske’s opportunities (even if it reduces his playing time) and gives him arguably the best player of all time to learn from. Regardless, Fiske has landed in a great spot and is often the second or third DT taken in IDP dynasty rookie drafts that require DTs in the starting lineups. As such, Fiske lands as your author’s 8th overall rookie IDP player.

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