It’s undeniable that the Los Angeles Rams sacrificed significantly in their trade with the Carolina Panthers to move up in the second round of last month’s NFL Draft and select Braden Fiske from Florida State at 39 overall. The Rams traded their 2025 second-round draft pick to Carolina, a deal that translates to the 35th overall pick according to public draft value charts.
#Rams give up 2,334 points to get to 39 which is worth 1,143 points per the F-S chart. That equates to giving up the 35th pick in the draft. Home run trade for the #Panthers.
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) April 26, 2024
Some argue that the Panthers outmaneuvered Rams general manager Les Snead in this transaction, suggesting it was driven by desperation to secure Fiske amidst a competitive market for interior defensive linemen. Others contend that the move was justified by the opportunity to acquire a player like Fiske, who already has chemistry with former teammate Jared Verse and is viewed as an immediate starter.
One rationale that could excuse the Rams’ perceived overpayment for Fiske is similar to the case of Kobie Turner being a steal for Los Angeles. Elite interior defensive linemen are rare commodities, typically requiring high draft picks or lucrative free agent deals to acquire.
Of the top 10 interior pass rushers from the 2023 season, six were former first-round draft picks, with the remaining four acquired early in the draft or through significant contracts. This scarcity underscores the premium prices associated with top-tier interior linemen.
Braden Fiske “Ring me!” #Rams pic.twitter.com/Xtu768sKMu
— RAMZILLA (@elitster) April 29, 2024
While Fiske’s selection may have come at a steep cost, it could be justified by the positional value and the scarcity of top interior linemen in the draft. Whether the investment pays off for the Rams will ultimately be determined by Fiske’s performance on the field in the upcoming season.
Florida State IDL Braden Fiske finished with 4.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks against Louisville.
Just watch his effort. pic.twitter.com/dmMOT3g3So
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) December 3, 2023
