Rams sign second-round defensive tackle

The Rams have begun the process of signing their 2024 NFL Draft picks. They opened their draft signings by inking second-round defensive tackle out of Florida State Braden Fiske. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Fiske enters the NFL on a four-year, $9.41M deal that includes a $3.66M signing bonus and 15 percent of his Year 4 salary included in the total fully guaranteed amount of $7.64M.

Fiske was part of an undefeated (in the regular season) Florida State team built off the transfer portal. Fiske was one of those contributors out of the portal for the Seminoles after five years at Western Michigan. The Michigan native became a full-time starter in the Covid-19-shortened 2020 season and set career highs with the Broncos two years later in total tackles (58), tackles for loss (12.0), sacks (6.0), forced fumbles (2), and pass deflections (3). In one season as a full-time starter in Tallahassee, Fiske did more of the same, tallying nine tackles for loss and six sacks en route to a second-team All-ACC selection.

Fiske’s game should translate well at the NFL level. He brings ideal size to the position and wins often with his initial quickness. Mainly relying on club moves and bull rushes, he’ll need to add a few more moves to his pass-rush arsenal, but his consistency and drive will likely help him earn a big role as a rookie.

In Los Angeles, Fiske joins a defensive front that looks to replace future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald and Jonah Williams. The team returns second-year nose tackle Kobie Turner, who started four games as a rookie, and Bobby Brown III, who started 13 games but played less than half as many defensive snaps as Turner. Fiske stands to likely slot in a starter, if not simply a large contributor, as a rookie, similar to Turner last year.

Including Fiske’s fellow Florida State transfer contribution Jared Verse, the team’s first-round selection, the Rams have nine other draft picks to sign:

• Round 1, No. 19: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
• Round 2, No. 39 (from Panthers): Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 83: Blake Corum (RB, Michigan)
• Round 3, No. 99: Kamren Kinchens (S, Miami)
• Round 5, No. 154: Brennan Jackson (WR, Washington State)
• Round 6, No. 196: Tyler Davis (DT, Clemson)
• Round 6, No. 209: Joshua Karty (K, Stanford)
• Round 6, No. 213: Jordan Whittington (WR, Texas)
• Round 6, No. 217: Beaux Limmer (C, Arkansas)
• Round 7, No. 254: KT Leveston (G, Kansas State)