|
|
Braden Fiske Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell
Strengths:
- Dangerous interior pass rusher
- Fast off the ball
- Speed to dart by guards
- Athletic
- Closes on quarterbacks in a hurry
- Natural pad level
- Can redirect
- Can sink his hips and play low
- Agile to contort his body
- Active hands to fight off blockers
- Good vision, awareness
- Dangerous three-technique rusher for a 4-3
- Athletic upside to improve in the NFL
Weaknesses:
- Lacks length
- Weak run defender
- Can struggle with downhill runs straight at him
- Weak lateral anchor
- Has problems with mass
- Short arms – 31 inches
Prospect Summary:
The Seminoles had a resurgent year in 2023, and they were led by a lot of excellent players who they lured to Tallahassee via the transfer portal. One of those fabulous additions was Fiske, who provided a disruptive interior presence between star defensive ends Jared Verse and Patrick Payton. Fiske totaled 43 tackles and six sacks in 2023 a year after recording six sacks and 58 tackles for Western Michigan. He notched four sacks and 43 tackles in 2021. After his final season of college football, Fiske had strong performances at the Senior Bowl and the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
What sets Fiske apart and makes him an intriguing player for the next level is his interior pass-rush ability. With a burst off the snap, Fiske can fire upfield to get penetration into the pocket, and his relentless motor helps him to finish rushes by outfighting blockers to get to the quarterback. Fiske uses active hands to keep guards from getting a hold of him, and his natural pad level keeps him low with good leverage. Using his good athleticism and agility, Fiske can contort his body to dip underneath blockers and keep gaining on the quarterback. Fiske’s speed and athleticism to contribute in the pass rush are his calling card to get drafted early and play a key role in the passing-driven NFL.
In run defense, Fiske is a liability entering the next level, according to NFL team sources. He lacks length, height and weight to stand up blockers and keep them from getting a push. Fiske can get knocked off the ball, and power guards in the NFL are going to pose a problem for pushing him out of his gap. Fiske is going to have real issues defending downhill runs coming straight at him, and his lateral anchor needs to get much better. Bump blocks are going to be a problem too. Fiske needs to do a lot of work on his run defense for the NFL.
Fiske’s best fit could fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 defense, but even for that role, he will need to get better at defending the run to become a true three-down starter. Fiske might be relegated to an interior designated pass rusher while his pro coaches work with him on his run defense.
In the 2024 NFL Draft, Fiske is likely to be a second-round pick. He probably won’t get out of Round 3.
Prospect Comparison:
Denico Autry. Fiske is something like a shorter version of Autry. Florida State had listed Fiske as 6-foot-5, but at the Senior Bowl, he was two inches shorter. Autry (6-5, 285) has issues holding up as a run defender, but is a dangerous interior pass rusher while being light for an NFL defensive tackle. If Fiske can stick in the NFL, he could be a dangerous interior rusher similar to Autry.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
