Rams rookie DT to train with three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year

The Rams must replace the production of three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who officially retired in March.

Los Angeles planned to do so by trading up to select defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Like Donald, Fiske is a bit undersized (292 pounds) for the position, which is why there's no better player to learn from than Donald himself.

Fiske recently revealed he plans "to get some workouts in during the next couple of weeks before training camp" with Donald.

Still, Fiske knows it won't be easy to fill Donald's shoes after he finished his 10-year NFL career with 542 tackles, 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

"Big shoes to fill — we're talking about the greatest ever. I've said it countless times — it's the G.O.A.T," Fiske said via Forbes' DJ Siddiqi. "I full-heartedly feel that way about him, and we've had small conversations — that's been cool. It is what it is. I don't think you ever replace the G.O.A.T. I have to go out there and do what I do."

Fiske doesn't need to put the weight of replacing Donald solely on himself. He'll have some help from fellow defensive tackles Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown, who combined for 88 tackles and 9.5 sacks last season.

The best thing Fiske can do is continue playing the game that made him the No. 39 overall pick this year, and that's exactly what he's planning to do.

"I have to be me," Fiske added. "I have to build my own legacy, and that's what I'm looking forward to. I don't feel like I'm really filling shoes, but I have to create my own shoes. That's kind of what it is. I'm just excited to be a part of it, and I know that'll kind of always be the comparison of who's going to fill his shoes, but somebody has to do it."

Fiske had 43 tackles (17 solo) and six sacks during his lone year at Florida State in 2023.