Rams' 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 19: DL Braden Fiske

Braden Fiske had a major impact on the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie in 2024, playing all 17 games and leading the team with 8.5 sacks. Then he suffered a sophomore slump in 2025, seeing a decline in all of his key statistical categories. He finished with just 30 tackles and three sacks, as well as just four tackles for a loss after posting 10 as a rookie.

As disappointing as Fiske's second season was, it may not have been entirely his fault. He played the same number of games, but he saw 119 fewer snaps on defense because he was hampered by injury. He recovered from a knee injury suffered in the 2024 playoffs and then was on the injury report for an oblique injury in Week 3 and ankle injuries in Weeks 16 and 17.

Fiske remains an important player on defense and if healthy, he could be poised for a much-needed bounce-back year in 2026. He's No. 19 on our list of the Rams' most important players.

How he got here

The Rams gave up a lot to draft Fiske in 2024, pairing him with his college teammate Jared Verse as the team's second selection that year. They moved up from No. 52 to 39, giving the Panthers a fifth-rounder in 2024 and a second-rounder in 2025.

Fiske now enters the all-important third year as a pro, which is often when players begin to really progress and develop. The cost was high to acquire him but if he can recapture some of his 2024 form, he'll have a major impact.

2025 stats

17 games (16 starts): 30 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 4 tackles for a loss, 10 QB hits, 1 batted pass

Projected role

Unless Aaron Donald comes out of retirement, Fiske will remain a starter for the Rams alongside Kobie Turner and Poona Ford. He typically lines up as a 3-5 technique, showing good versatility on the defensive line by rushing against guards and tackles.

There's no reason to think that will change in 2026, barring Donald's return. And even then, that might not come until during the season, allowing Fiske to maintain his starting spot for most of the year.

Fiske can play all three downs but he's usually at his best as a pass rusher, helping in obvious passing situations on third down and second-and-long.

One thing to know

Despite the decrease in sack production from 8.5 to three, Fiske still generated pressure fairly often last season. According to PFF, he had 50 pressures on 457 pass-rush snaps last season after recording 59 on 464 pass-rush snaps in 2024.

Why he's important

The Rams defense has been built around the defensive line, and Fiske has been a big part of that. Along with Turner and Ford, Fiske has helped generate pressure and disrupt the passing game for opponents, though he does still need to improve as a run defender.

With his ability to quickly slip into the backfield and beat linemen, he forces the ball out quickly and can help prevent long passes down the field. Having Fiske and Turner on the inside, with Myles Garrett and Byron Young on the edge, gives the Rams an impressive defensive front.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' 26 most important players for 2026 – No. 19: DL Braden Fiske