Rams DL Braden Fiske knows he can't simply fill Aaron Donald's shoes: 'I have to create my own'

The Rams have repeatedly stated this offseason that they cannot expect to replace the exceptional Aaron Donald.

Acknowledging so is also common sense given all Donald accomplished during his decade in the league, and although second-round rookie Braden Fiske is in full agreement, he’s also ready to contribute to refortifying the defensive line in his own way.

“I have to be me,” Fiske told Forbes’ DJ Siddiqi. “I have to build my own legacy and that’s what I’m looking forward to. I don’t feel like I’m really filling shoes, but I have to create my own shoes. That’s kind of what it is. I’m just excited to be a part of it and I know that’ll kind of always be the comparison of who’s going to fill his shoes, but somebody has to do it.”

Along with Fiske, 2021 fourth-rounder Bobby Brown III and 2023 third-round Kobie Turner, who led the team with nine sacks as a rookie, stand to lead Los Angeles’ D-line into the future.

It’s a young, promising group, bookended on the edge by the Rams’ first pick this year, Jared Verse and their second-leading sack-getter who tied Donald with eight sacks in 2023, Byron Young.

In preparation for his role in the transition into the post-Donald era, Fiske naturally intends to collaborate with the Rams legend himself.

“Fiske commented on his discussions with Donald since his draft, describing them as ‘Not really noteworthy advice.’ He added, ‘We plan to fit in some workouts in the upcoming weeks before training camp, which will be nice.'”

Although Fiske doesn’t match up to Donald’s status as a sack master — with the Florida State graduate achieving 19 sacks over 58 collegiate games in comparison to Donald’s retirement with 111 and a record of 20.5 in one season — he does exhibit a level of exceptional athleticism akin to that of the eight-time All-Pro.

Given some space and momentum, Fiske has the potential to become a terrifying force, boasting a 4.78 speed at 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds. His performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine was impressive, as he ranked first among defensive tackles in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle (4.37), and vertical jump (33.5″).

As training camp advances, it will become more evident how frequently and in what capacity the Rams will utilize him during his rookie year. However, he is already putting in the effort to make a difference. After experiencing his first L.A. offseason program, he feels he has the potential to surpass his initial expectations.

“Fiske expressed his belief that he has significant potential for growth. He confessed that his potential could be higher than he initially perceived upon his graduation from college. He stated that working with professionals has given him a clearer perspective on how much he can improve his game. By comparing himself with his peers, he discovered that his potential is far greater than he initially thought. He is eager to explore how far he can take his game and how he can develop his career. He stated that his primary goal from the onset is to improve. He expressed gratitude for being a part of this journey and anticipation for the growth he can achieve in the coming year.”