Rising Star: Rams’ Second Rounder Emerges as Dark Horse for Top Honor

The 2024-2025 Los Angeles Rams season is a game of runs. This year has been a rollercoaster for Rams fans, with, uncertainty, injuries, trade rumors and big victories. The one bright spot of consistency however has been the rookie class, particularly the defensive duo from Florida State.

Outside linebacker Jared Verse and defensive lineman Braden Fiske are two of the top defensive rookies in the NFL. Verse is the runaway favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award on every major betting platform. After his performance in the Rams’ win over the New England Patriots, Fiske broke into the top five.

Rams Second-Round Pick Makes a Case for a Major Award

Fiske’s Week 11 performance was one for the record books. He became the first Ram to record two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his first 10 career games. With his two sacks on Sunday, he passed his Seminoles and Rams teammate Verse to lead all rookies in the statistic.

While Fiske’s power is obvious just by looking at his 6’4″ 290-pound frame, he has underrated speed for a defensive tackle. At the combine, he had the fastest 40-yard dash for his position group at 4.78 seconds. The Rams’ second-round pick also ranked first in the vertical and broad jumps, tying in the short shuttle with current Pittsburgh Steeler Logan Lee.

The former Seminole’s athleticism shone through on Sunday. His first sack and forced fumble on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the fastest for any defensive lineman this season. It also marked the third-fastest sack in the 2024-2025 campaign.

Fiske’s performances earned him the plaudits of head coach Sean McVay, who sang his praises for the rookie after Monday’s practice.

“It’s just a cool display of hard work paying off like Aaron Donald used to say,” McVay said. “Fiske has been awesome. He’s a stud. He’s been a major factor the last couple weeks, especially as it  relates to affecting and influencing the game from a pressure perspective.”