Ram Digest

Rams' Verse and Fiske Named Finalists For AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

The Associated Press released the names of the five men nominated for the DROTY award with two Rams defensive linemen joining the list after a breakout first season
Brock Vierra|
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske (55) celebrates a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske (55) celebrates a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Rams

Football is a brotherhood. Defensive football is a family and the defensive line, regardless of origin, influence or creed, they are brothers. There's something special, something unseen between men that play on the defensive line together. Perhaps molded by the joint tasks in which they share or simply the physicality of the position, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske simply are brothers.

And as brothers do, they help each other succeed. So when Verse picked up a Sam Darnold fumble in the Rams Wild Card win against the Vikings, Fiske, who was near where Darnold was sacked, sprinted to clear out the closest Viking to Verse, paving his way towards the endzone.

But it's not a one-way street. Verse, through his continued efforts, causes so many issues on the outside that Fiske had a repeated open lane to the quarterback, playing a role in his rookie-leading 8.5 sacks on the season. But for both men, it's not the sacks, pressures, or even touchdowns that matter to them. It's the pursuit of the win and the fact they get to pursue it together.

All Rams fans were touched during the emotional moment when Fiske was not only drafted by the Rams, the same team that drafted Verse the day before but that Verse was at the Rams' draft headquarters, welcoming Fiske over the phone.

And for two men who have accomplished so much together, it's fitting that both are nominated for the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, joining Eagles defensive backs Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell along with Dolphins EDGE Chop Robinson.

Verse is expected to take home the award due to leading rookies in QB pressures and his dominance against various NFL offensive lines. Verse, already a fan favorite, etched his name into Rams lore as he dominated what is widely considered the best offensive line in the NFL in Philadelphia after talking his talk and then walking his walk.

Fiske is a beloved member of the Rams' defensive line. In two playoff games, he played a critical role in getting both Darnold and Jalen Hurts on the ground, recording 1.5 sacks of his own.

The award will be presented on February 6th, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Saenger Theatre.

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Brock Vierra
BROCK VIERRA

Brock Vierra, a UNLV graduate, is the Los Angeles Rams Beat Writer On Sports Illustrated. He also works as a college football reporter for our On Sports Illustrated team.

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