Braden Fiske isn’t just holding his own in the trenches - he’s thriving in them. Through 29 games (20 starts) with the Los Angeles Rams, the young defensive lineman has quietly built a résumé that’s hard to ignore.
He’s logged 1,089 defensive snaps, racked up 69 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 34 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. And here’s the kicker: he’s missed just one tackle in all of 2025.
That kind of consistency, especially in the chaos of the defensive line, doesn’t come easy. Fiske is earning a reputation as one of the most disruptive - and underrated - forces on the Rams’ defense.
He’s been called an up-and-comer, a grinder, even a “pinball in the trenches” for the way he bounces off blockers and finds his way into the backfield. But labels aside, here’s what really matters: he’s becoming the kind of player offensive linemen circle on film study - and not because they’re excited to face him.
Take Sunday’s game in Carolina. Fiske notched his second sack of the season, joining six other Rams defenders with multiple sacks in 2025.
But it wasn’t just the sack - he also posted career highs with six total tackles and four plays that directly stalled the Panthers’ offense, per TruMedia. That’s the kind of all-around impact coaches dream about from their interior linemen.
Fiske isn’t chasing headlines - he’s chasing production. And he’s doing it the hard way: with relentless effort, smart play, and a motor that doesn’t quit.
While some players rely on raw athleticism or pedigree, Fiske’s success is built on grit. He’s the type of guy who takes coaching to heart but doesn’t wait around for it.
He studies his own tape, corrects his own mistakes, and keeps showing up - play after play, game after game.
That work ethic has paid off in more ways than just pass-rush numbers. Even as his sack totals have cooled off, his role in the Rams’ run defense has only grown.
And that’s no small thing. This season, the Rams have already faced four of the league’s top 10 running backs - with two more on the schedule.
Yet they sit at 9-3 with the fifth-best defense in yards per carry allowed and the fewest rushing touchdowns surrendered in the league. That’s a massive turnaround from a year ago, when stopping the run was a glaring weakness.
Fiske is a big reason for that shift. He’s become a trusted piece in Chris Shula’s defensive rotation, a guy who can plug gaps, shed blocks, and make life miserable for opposing backs. He’s not the flashiest name on the roster, but he’s one of the most reliable - and that’s exactly the kind of player every great defense needs.
At this point, it’s clear: Braden Fiske is no longer just a promising young player. He’s a difference-maker. He may not be leading the league in sacks or tackles, but he’s evolving into a lineman that offenses have to account for - and one the Rams can count on.
And if 2024 taught us anything, it’s that Fiske has a knack for stepping up when the Rams need him most. That trend is continuing in 2025 - and for a team with playoff aspirations, that’s huge.