Detriot Lions Key Player Signed up With Carolina Panthers…
Former Penn State team captain and defensive back Nick Scott is among Nittany Lions on the move in the NFL during ongoing free agency. Following a recent release from the Cincinnati Bengals, the safety has found a new professional football home with the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina confirmed its signing of Scott, reuniting him with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Retained by Carolina this winter after a head coaching change, Evero previously coached safeties with the Los Angeles Rams, who drafted Scott in 2019.
Los Angeles selected Scott with the 243rd overall pick (Round 7) in the 2019 NFL Draft. Scott earned a spot on the active roster as a rookie and ultimately appeared in all 64 regular-season games through 2022. He made 17 regular-season starts in a Rams uniform and added four more in the playoffs after the 2021 campaign, handling an expanded role on the way to a Super Bowl LVI victory.
Scott remained with the Rams for one more season beyond that championship experience. Upon hitting unrestricted free agency last March, he agreed to a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
That pact didn’t last long, as Cincinnati opted to release Scott earlier this month. He entered all 17 contests with the Bengals last season, starting 10 of them and totaling 56 tackles.
In joining Carolina, Scott again becomes teammates with running back Miles Sanders, a fellow member of Penn State’s 2019 draft class. Other former Nittany Lions who’ve changed teams during NFL free agency include running back Saquon Barkley (New York Giants to Philadelphia Eagles), tight end Mike Gesicki (New England Patriots to Cincinnati Bengals) defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (Carolina Panthers to San Francisco 49ers).
Through five NFL seasons, Scott owns 214 combined tackles with four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 81 regular-season matchups, starting 27 of them. All but one of those starts occurred during the last two years.
Scott arrived at Penn State with ambitions to play running back but his impact extended to other phases. After rushing the ball 30 times for 133 yards and one touchdown as a redshirt freshman in 2015, he eventually served as a team captain on defense and special teams.
Considered a special teams ace during much of his career, Scott a starting spot at safety as a senior in 2018. He produced 65 tackles and three interceptions, serving as a valuable leader.
Scott played in 52 Nittany Lions games and graduated with a degree in psychology. His Penn State Pro Day was impressive, with results that included a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical leap.
Scott looked back at his time with the Nittany Lions during the lead up to his Super Bowl appearance a couple years ago. He was a member of James Franklin‘s first PSU recruiting class (2014).
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Lions Predicted to Add Forceful Edge Rusher With ‘Jarring Power’
The Detroit Lions addressed their defensive needs in the first two weeks of NFL free agency. But NFL.com’s Chad Reuter projected the Lions to continue adding talent on defense with Darius Robinson in the first round.
Reuter had the Lions selecting Robinson at No. 29 overall in his four-round NFL mock draft on March 22.
“Robinson displayed his versatility in Missouri’s scheme last year, often standing up at 285 pounds,” Reuter wrote. “The Lions would likely use him in a similar fashion across from Aidan Hutchinson.”
Entering the 2024 NFL draft, Robinson’s biggest strength is his physical tools, including the incredible force he can create with his body.
“Right out of the gate, Robinson’s physical attributes should give him a potential advantage in head-to-head matchups,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He has jarring power in his hands and a twitchy upper body to get rid of blockers quickly.
“Robinson’s power and motor increase the chances he becomes a good starting base end who reduces inside on third downs.”
In 12 games during the 2023 season, Robinson posted 8.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble. He also had 43 total tackles.