Rams' 25 most important players for 2025 – No. 15: DL Braden Fiske

For the second straight year, the Los Angeles Rams hit a pair of home runs in the NFL draft along the defensive front. In 2023, it was Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Last year, it was Braden Fiske and Jared Verse.

Fiske had an immediate impact as a rookie in 2024, recording a team-high 8.5 sacks and notching 10 tackles for a loss in the 17 games he played. He unfortunately got hurt in the playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and needed minor offseason surgery, but he's back to being 100% and ready to roll in 2025.

Paired with Turner on the D-line, as well as newcomer Poona Ford in the middle, Fiske is in for a big season. It's why he's No. 15 on our camp countdown list of the Rams' 25 most important players.

How he got here

The Rams coveted Fiske in the 2024 draft, trading up 13 spots from No. 52 to 39 in the second round. To do so, they gave up the 155th pick and a 2025 second-rounder, which was a high price to pay – but one that has already been worth it.

2024 stats

17 games (8 starts): 44 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 10 TFL, 10 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries

Projected role

Fiske will be one of the Rams' starting defensive linemen again in 2025 and after playing 59% of the team's snaps last season, he should see an uptick in that department this year. He can play 3-tech defensive tackle or move out further as a 5-tech end where he lines up over the offensive tackle, splitting time between both spots last year.

He can rush the passer from just about anywhere, which gives Chris Shula plenty of options with his dynamic defenders up front. He does need to improve as a run defender, which could limit his early down snaps, but he quickly became an outstanding pass rusher on the interior.

Why he’s important

Aaron Donald and the game's best defensive tackles have shown what a massive impact interior pressure can have on an opposing offense and Fiske is on a path to becoming dominant, too. He was especially good late in the year when he had at least a half-sack in each of the Rams' last four games, including their two playoff matchups.

In his final four games, he had 16 total pressures and four sacks, consistently disrupting opponents from the interior.

With so many promising and talented pass rushers up front, Fiske has a chance to feast on his one-on-one matchups inside. He's poised for a breakout year now that he's fully acclimated to the NFL and how linemen are game planning against him.

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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams' most important players for 2025: No. 15 DL Braden Fiske