Prospect Profile: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State

Context

Played mostly the 3 technique for Florida State but transferred from Western Michigan where he also played mostly at 3 technique but also played more in the A gap and outside.

Pass Rush

Ridiculous athleticism that starts at the snap with his upfield burst, which is exceptional for his size. He’s able to explode out of his stance and it doesn’t matter down or distance. His second and third step are also lightning fast, it’s this and his lateral explosion that helps him to roll through the half-man. He also has good hand usage, his hands are well placed and timed but he does not consistently play with leverage and he far too quickly stands up when he’s rushing the passer, he sends all of his power upwards rather than at the pocket. His rush plan isn’t well developed yet. He’s relentless and has a high motor and always looks to counter when his initial move is stopped but he doesn’t often select the right move or set up his best move particularly well. His counters and hand usage can be a little chaotic. He’s twitched up and it means he has wicked change of direction and can use his lateral quickness to work an inside move that’s tough to stop. He doesn’t set it up well but it’s still effective. He has a cross-chop that he tries to work with quick hands but the chop is directed well and there is little power in his hands with this move. He has good hand placement and timing with his bull-rush and can get initial push back into the pocket but savvy OL can force him to raise his pad level and can then find it easier to anchor against him. When he gets his hands on well, and maintains his leverage, he can also work an effective push-pull move. When he does get free towards the QB, he can get home with his speed and explosion to make sacks at a good rate. He’s also a tough guy to block on stunts given his athleticism, as well as having the savvy to open a lane for his teammate.

Vs Run

As a run defender he also gets off the ball quickly and gets into his blocker. When he’s facing double teams he doesn’t use this upfield burst as much as he could, he doesn’t get his hands into his blocker quickly and try to reset the levels for the offense. He will try to occupy and is a nuisance to seal at the line of scrimmage. He can prevent vertical movement but it’s not with the best technique, he’s shown the beginnings of being able to corkscrew the leg and reduce his surface area but it’s usually deployed too late into the play to be effective. He reads Gap runs quickly and can get upfield into the backfield to make a play. He can on occasion try to go through gaps that aren’t there and get blocked. He sees Down blocks coming from interior OL, he can use his quickness to get in the running lane and then hold position with leverage. He won’t see Down blocks coming from further away. Against most run blocks he can use his athleticism to get around blocks and penetrate but he isn’t a guy how can take away running lanes by getting into the OL early and using leverage/play strength to constrict running lanes. What he can do is shed the blocker and make a play on the ball-carrier, this is normally much further downfield than you would like but his pursuit is relentless and so he will pick up tackles downfield.

SUMMARY
Athletic freak at the position but it also translates as he gets off the ball remarkably quickly. Some pass rush potential but lots to work on including a plan. Penetrator as a run defender.

PRODUCTION
SR: 6 Sacks, 3 QB Hits, 36 Total Tackles
JR: 8 Sacks, 5 QB hits, 54 total tackles, 4 FF
INJURY: None

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 5
Intelligence 4
Versatility 4
Grit 4
Scheme 4