​All eyes are fixed on Aaron Donald this offseason to determine whether the Los Angeles Rams legend will return to the field and team up with Myles Garrett. If Donald does come back, though, Nate Atkins of The Athletic believes third-year edge rusher Braden Fiske would see his playing time shrink the most among Rams defenders. While Donald’s style isn’t a direct threat to Fiske in terms of technique, it becomes a matter of prioritization for defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Fiske is already set to lose snaps to Garrett, and with interior defenders Kobie Turner and Poona Ford already entrenched in their roles and Byron Young contributing on the outside, there aren’t many reps available to begin with—even more so if Donald re-enters the lineup.
In 2024, as a rookie, Fiske appeared for 59% of the Rams’ defensive snaps, delivering 8.5 sacks and generating 59 pressures. That workload slid to 48% of the snaps in the following season, and his production declined to three sacks despite starting 16 of 17 games. At present, Fiske remains one of the Rams’ more promising young interior pass rushers. Yet even if the team didn’t use Donald as an every-down player, Fiske’s snap count would likely be the most vulnerable, given his role, the position he plays, and the current depth chart.
This discussion reflects ongoing speculation about how the Rams will allocate their defensive snaps if Donald returns and how that would impact Fiske’s opportunities. The reality is that Los Angeles already has a crowded interior and exterior front with Turner, Ford, and Young contributing significant minutes, making it difficult for any one young pass rusher to command a large, consistent workload. If Donald is back in uniform, the combination of Garrett’s presence and the established roles of Turner, Ford, and Young means Fiske would face stiffer competition for playing time, and his edge as a versatile interior rusher could be outmatched by those who are currently entrenched in the lineup.
In short, Fiske remains a notable young asset for the Rams, but the likelihood of his snaps decreasing would rise sharply if Aaron Donald returns to action. The team’s personnel structure and the depth chart provide fewer opportunities for a surge, making Fiske the player most at risk of reduced playing time in that scenario. This article originated on Rams Wire, highlighting the perspective that Fiske is the Rams player most likely to see his role diminished should Donald come back into the fold.