The Los Angeles Rams are anxiously awaiting the impending return of Aaron Donald. Donald’s return to the Rams will undoubtedly form the greatest defensive line ever to touch the NFL grass. However, Donald’s return does raise questions about how Sean McVay and Chris Shula will get all of their chess pieces on the field…namely Braden Fiske. Is Braden Fiske going to see a reduction in playing time? Or will he be used in pass rushing situations exclusively? This naturally brings up an interesting question: Who will finish with more sacks — Aaron Donald or Braden Fiske?
After walking away from football following the 2023 season, Donald’s potential return has become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Rams. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed in July that Donald was going through a process to determine whether he wanted to return, and recent reports have shown the future Hall of Famer working out with other Rams defensive linemen…coincidentally Braden Fiske.
If Donald does return, the question becomes less about whether he can still be productive and more about how the Rams will use him.
That is where Braden Fiske enters the conversation.
Fiske burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, recording 8.5 sacks — the third-most in a season by a rookie in Rams history. He also produced 51 pressures and 40 hurries from the interior. His second season was much quieter statistically, as he finished with just three sacks, but injuries contributed to a season in which he acknowledged he wasn’t playing at his best physically. Fiske has entered 2026 saying he feels healthy and ready for a bounce-back season.
Myles Garrett’s presence should create opportunities throughout the Rams’ defensive front. Opposing offenses cannot afford to devote all of their protection toward Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, or Aaron Donald when Garrett is capable of destroying a game from the edge. Fiske himself recently acknowledged that Garrett is not exactly a normal player and that his presence can change how offenses approach the Rams’ defensive line.
We asked fans via our FanDuel reacts poll and the results were pretty telling.
As expected, the vote went in favor of the 3x Defensive Player of the Year. But Braden Fiske did receive a 36% voting share; showing that there is fan optimism in the third year player.
For Donald, the question is durability and workload. At 35 years old and coming off a two-year absence, expecting the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to immediately return to an 80-percent snap role would be unrealistic. A more specialized role could actually make more sense. Donald could be unleashed primarily in obvious passing situations, allowing the Rams to maximize his greatest remaining strength: getting after the quarterback.
That could result in fewer total snaps but a surprisingly high sack total.
Fiske, meanwhile, has youth on his side and already demonstrated that he can produce sacks from the interior. If he stays healthy and receives enough opportunities alongside Myles Garrett, he could return to — or even surpass — his rookie production.
Donald has the higher ceiling, but Fiske has youth and break out potential.
If Donald plays a limited role, Fiske could easily lead the Rams in sacks. If Donald returns looking anything close to the player Rams fans remember, however, it would be foolish to bet against him.
Ultimately, the question isn’t whether Donald or Fiske can get to the quarterback…It’s which one gets there more often in 2026?