Defensive lineman Braden Fiske of Michigan City picked by Rams in NFL Draft

Defensive lineman Braden Fiske from Michigan City, Indiana, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Rams traded with the Carolina Panthers into the 39th position.

Fiske toiled at Western Michigan for five years before joining Florida State in 2023. He excelled with the Seminoles and impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, where his "athleticism score" was second among all defensive linemen.

"It took six years to get to this point," Fiske told NFL.com earlier this month. "What I've learned through this whole journey is that everyone's on a different track."

Fiske said he felt urgency his entire senior year and set about "eliminating question marks" through the season and scouting process.

Braden Fiske NFL Draft profile

Age: 24

Height: 6-4

Weight: 292 pounds

Strengths: Defends run and rushes passers with equal intensity; speedy, short strides enable him to rush the QB in many ways.

Weaknesses: If bigger offensive linemen get their hands on him early, they can control him; struggles with double teams.

NFL.com prospect rating: 6.34 (will eventually be a plus starter)

NFL Scouting Combine results

40-yard dash: 4.78 seconds

10-yard split: 1.68 seconds

Vertical jump: 33.5 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inches

20-yard shuttle: 4.37 seconds

Bench press: 26 reps

Braden Fiske scouting reports

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Defensive tackle with below-average mass and length who makes up for it with above-average quickness and a constantly revving engine. Fiske uses sudden hands and nimble feet to whip single blocks. Once he finds daylight, he flies to whoever has the ball. He doesn’t have the anchor to sit down and muddy gaps, so scheme will be important for him. Fiske is a hustle rusher who can win quick or late if opponents don’t play with proper hand usage and match his energy. He lacks ideal measurables but has a chance to become an impact defender.

Bleacher Report: Fiske shows a lot of impressive movement skills and hip mobility to grow as a rusher, and he's effective as the looper in line games with good agility to gain ground vertically while moving laterally. Against the run, his lightning-quick get-off allows him to get penetration, and he has pop in his hands to win at the point of attack.

Braden Fiske stats

Braden Fiske highlights

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Draft 2024: Rams pick defensive lineman Braden Fiske