Braden Fiske, IDL, Florida State
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 292 pounds
Arm Length: 31”
Hand Size: 9 3/8"
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-MAC (2022)
“Braden Fiske is a versatile interior defensive lineman who uses his explosiveness, quickness, and high motor to be disruptive as both a run defender and as a pass rusher.”
Strengths:
First-step explosiveness
High motor
Violent temperament/playstyle
Athleticism to penetrate gaps
Concerns:
Block shedding
High pad level
Maintain line of scrimmage
Film Analysis:
Braden Fiske is an interior defensive lineman that's versatile in alignment and has explosive elements to his game that allows for him to be productive in both the run game and as a pass rusher.
In the run game, Fiske showcases an explosive first step that he uses to convert into power to knock back offensive linemen and establish the line of scrimmage. Fiske has good strength and power in his hands. When he shoots them, there is an initial knockback of the offensive lineman. Fiske can also use his hands to disengage with defenders using a rip move or club. Fiske also uses his explosive first step to get into gaps. As a gap penetrator, Fiske's athleticism allows him to get upfield, get penetration, and become disruptive in the backfield. Fiske appears to be most comfortable playing the run when he can penetrate gaps rather than maintaining the line of scrimmage with lock, peek, and shed technique.
As a pass rusher, he uses his first step to get upfield quickly. Against slower offensive linemen, he can be overwhelming at the snap. Fiske has violent and active hands rushing the quarterback, showing the ability to quickly work different hand maneuvers (two-hand swipe, club, etc.) to get to the quarterback. Fiske also has above-average lateral movements for an interior defensive lineman and can redirect to stay in pursuit of a mobile quarterback and apply pressure.
Fiske has two main areas of improvement as a player. The first is his pad height. Fiske plays with a high pad level that allows him to get displaced off the line of scrimmage in double-team situations. This allows offensive linemen to win the leverage battle and get great hand placement on Fiske—which makes it difficult for him to disengage/shed blocks. The other element of his game that needs improvement is his run game discipline. While Fiske's effectiveness in getting upfield can result in positive plays for the defense, it can also result in negative plays. There are situations where it appears that Fiske will run himself out of the play, which creates gaps in the defenses and compromises the integrity of the defense.
Overall, Fiske's athleticism and high motor allow him to have good range along the defensive line. Those traits should translate to him being a productive defensive lineman against the run and rushing the passer in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 - Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: LSU (2023), Clemson (2023), Duke (2023), Miami (2023)
