Baldy's Breakdowns: NFL analyst expects Braden Fiske to 'take a big step' in 2025
So much of the attention on defense goes to reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, but the Los Angeles Rams have another star up front in Braden Fiske. The former Florida State Seminole is coming off a season where he had a team-high 8.5 sacks, wasting no time bursting onto the scene as a second-round rookie.
Fiske was a disruptive force for the Rams last season and after working hard on his body this offseason, he's in even better shape entering Year 2. He feels stronger and just as quick as before despite adding a few pounds, cutting his body fat thanks to some diet adjustments.
NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger has high expectations for Fiske in 2025, putting the spotlight on Los Angeles' stud defensive lineman in his recent 'Baldy's Breakdowns' segment on social media.
'Counting the postseason, Braden Fiske led all rookies with 10 sacks last year. I can't wait to see what he does in his sophomore season,' Baldinger said.
Baldinger highlighted Fiske's combination of power and speed, which were on display during multiple plays against the Cardinals and Vikings last year. It's unfortunate he got hurt in the divisional round against the Eagles but thankfully, it was only a minor knee injury.
He's back to being fully healthy and prepared to wreak havoc each and every week this season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rams rookie Terrance Ferguson says he has some similar traits to Travis Kelce
After the Los Angeles Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson, Sean McVay made some bold comparisons for the rookie tight end. He sees similarities between Ferguson and Travis Kelce, as well as former Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley, whom McVay coached in Washington. McVay isn't the only one who sees Kelce's game in Ferguson's because the rookie tight end himself feels the same way. During an interview on ESPN LA, Ferguson was asked which tight end he plays like and he immediately mentioned Kelce. 'I take a lot of things from everybody's game,' he said. 'I try to be a student of the game and learn a lot from different people. I feel like some of the running routes and things at the top of the routes, I feel like I have some movements like Travis Kelce and that's one of the best ever. I definitely model my game and watch a lot of his tape just because he's so special at the top of his route and after the catch and I feel like I have similar movement patterns as him. But then there's other guys like Mark Andrews and George Kittle that are workhorses. You can learn something from a wide receiver out here on a release. You can learn from everybody, so I try to pick a little bit of everything but I would say definitely Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews.' Ferguson and Kelce are both around 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, so their frames are akin to one another. Kelce has been arguably the best tight end of this generation, so Ferguson has a long way to go before he reaches the All-Pro's level. But it's never a bad thing to model your game after a superstar. Both players are savvy route runners and incredibly dangerous after the catch, which the Rams are sure to take full advantage of his skill set this season. If he becomes anything like the player that Kelce is, Los Angeles will have hit a home run in the second round. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams' Terrance Ferguson says he has similar traits to Travis Kelce
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Rams rookie Terrance Ferguson says he has some similar traits to Travis Kelce
Ferguson also takes things from Mark Andrews and George Kittle After the Los Angeles Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson, Sean McVay made some bold comparisons for the rookie tight end. He sees similarities between Ferguson and Travis Kelce, as well as former Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley, whom McVay coached in Washington. McVay isn't the only one who sees Kelce's game in Ferguson's because the rookie tight end himself feels the same way. During an interview on ESPN LA, Ferguson was asked which tight end he plays like and he immediately mentioned Kelce. 'I take a lot of things from everybody's game,' he said. 'I try to be a student of the game and learn a lot from different people. I feel like some of the running routes and things at the top of the routes, I feel like I have some movements like Travis Kelce and that's one of the best ever. I definitely model my game and watch a lot of his tape just because he's so special at the top of his route and after the catch and I feel like I have similar movement patterns as him. But then there's other guys like Mark Andrews and George Kittle that are workhorses. You can learn something from a wide receiver out here on a release. You can learn from everybody, so I try to pick a little bit of everything but I would say definitely Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews.' Ferguson and Kelce are both around 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, so their frames are akin to one another. Kelce has been arguably the best tight end of this generation, so Ferguson has a long way to go before he reaches the All-Pro's level. But it's never a bad thing to model your game after a superstar. Both players are savvy route runners and incredibly dangerous after the catch, which the Rams are sure to take full advantage of his skill set this season. If he becomes anything like the player that Kelce is, Los Angeles will have hit a home run in the second round.
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
The ultimate Matthew Stafford backup? Why the Rams love Jimmy Garoppolo
No Matthew Stafford, no problem. At least for now. With the Rams' star quarterback sidelined because of what coach Sean McVay has described as back soreness, 12th-year pro Jimmy Garoppolo is running the offense as the Rams prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans. 'I found out pretty suddenly,' Garoppolo said of his elevation to the first-team offense on the eve of training camp. 'But that's the life of a backup quarterback.' Stafford, entering his 17th season, is expected to join workouts next week, according to McVay. If Stafford's back problem persists, that could be trouble for a team that is expected to be a Super Bowl contender. In the meantime, they are relying on Garoppolo, who is something of a luxury for McVay and the Rams. Garoppolo, 33, is 43-21 as an NFL starter in stints with the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders. He led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season and has played in seven postseason games. 'Jimmy Garoppolo is a starting quarterback,' McVay said. 'Obviously, we feel so fortunate to have somebody like Matthew leading the way, but Jimmy's done a great job.' Garoppolo signed with the Rams before last season after an injury-plagued 2023 season with the Raiders. The belief by many was that it would be a one-year residency with the Rams before Garoppolo sought a starting opportunity elsewhere. During the offseason, the Rams explored possibly trading Stafford before reaching agreement on an adjusted contract. Garoppolo, who had been regarded as a bridge possibility if the Rams moved on from Stafford, signed another one-year deal in March worth just over $3 million, according to 'Sean plays a big role,' Garoppolo said when asked why he decided to remain with the Rams. 'Honestly, it's just the people here. ... Having been around 12 years, you see both sides of it — and the other side can get old real quick. ... You've got to be around good people.' Garoppolo played in only one game last season. He completed 27 of 41 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception, in a 30-25 defeat by the Seattle Seahawks in the regular-season finale. Now he is preparing for his 12th season. Can he envision playing 17 seasons, ala Stafford? 'I'm taking it year by year,' he said. 'I would say, how does the body feel? How does the mentality feel? 'I never want to half-ass anything in my life. So I've loved this game of football and I've always given it everything I have. So when the day comes, I think I'll know. 'But we ain't there yet.'
