Braden Fiske's Strong Rookie Season Help Lead Rams To Playoffs

Los Angeles Rams rookie defensive tackle Braden Fiske was downright dominant in Saturday's 13-9 Week 17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Fiske recorded two sacks. He helped the Rams maintain their position atop the NFC West, and they've since clinched the division title and a postseason berth following other results around the league.

Fiske was relentless on his first sack, bursting through the interior of the offensive line by beating fellow rookie Isaiah Adams in protection. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray attempted to retreat but to no avail. Murray eventually gave himself up as Fiske's red-hot motor let him complete the play.

Fiske recorded another sack, his eighth of the campaign, to conclude the first half. The former Florida State standout was a thorn in Murray's backside throughout all four quarters. Fiske possessed an average separation distance of 3.86 yards from Murray on pass-rushing snaps, according to Next Gen Stats. That was the best result among all Rams defensive linemen and is significantly better than the league-average distance of 4.57 yards.

Fiske is now tied for the Rams' team lead in sacks with fellow interior lineman Kobie Turner with 8.0 quarterback takedowns. With one regular-season game remaining, Fiske's 8.0 sacks is tied for the third-most in a season by a Rams rookie, trailing only Aaron Donald (9.0) and Turner (9.0). He's been historically good for the franchise this year.

Fiske also leads all rookies in sacks. Miami Dolphins rookie pass rusher Chop Robinson ranks second (6.0). Fiske's teammate Jared Verse isn't far behind with 4.5 QB takedowns of his own. Together, they've completely transformed the Rams' defense this season.

Fiske also ranks third among all rookie pass rushers in pressures and first among interior defenders (48). Only his teammate Verse (74) and Robinson (50) have pressured opposing backfields more consistently than Fiske has. His 26 stops rank third, trailing just Verse (34) and New York Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (29).

Pro Football Focus' PRP formula, which combines sacks, hits, and hurries into a success rate, has Fiske ranked as the third-most successful rookie rusher (7.1) behind just Robinson (10.4) and Verse (9.0). Taking a minimum of 250 pass-rushing snaps into account, Fiske's pass-rush win rate (PRWR) of 8.8% ranks fourth among all rookies (first among defensive tackles), behind Robinson (19.8%), Verse (19.2%), and Laiatu Latu (14.2%). There's not a basic or advanced metric out there that suggests he shouldn't be in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Rams have recorded 36 sacks this campaign. More than a quarter of those (12.5) have been accumulated by rookies Fiske and Verse. With sophomores Turner and Byron Young combining for an additional 15, Rams general manager Les Snead completely revamped his defensive line in two drafts.

Fiske has been elite in terms of instant rookie contributors. The first-year defensive tackle continues to put forth dominant showings, and his two-sack game versus the Cardinals was his third multi-sack game of the season. Fiske could be a game-changer for a Rams team heading to the playoffs.