Why Nic Scourton is the Answer at EDGE for the Carolina Panthers
This year’s NFL Draft was loaded with talent at the EDGE position. The edge rushing position has taken over football because more and more teams are switching to a 3-4 scheme, meaning three defensive linemen and four linebackers make up the seven players in the box. With this takeover came some pretty hefty contracts and a plethora of high draft picks. Myles Garrett, who plays EDGE for the Cleveland Browns, was the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history before Ja’Marr Chase signed his new deal. Abdul Carter was taken by the Giants with the third pick in the draft, and four other edge rushers were taken in the first round, too.
With this position becoming premium, teams that lack depth at the spot will not succeed. They will have trouble pressuring the quarterback, tackling runners in the backfield, and ultimately, they will give up a lot of points. The Panthers experienced that in 2024, conceding 534 points, the most all-time, and earning PFF’s worst pass-rush grade by a large margin. To address it, they went after an All-SEC player, and one that many thought would not make it out of the top 40 picks.
Nic Scourton was viewed by many as a potential top ten selection before the 2024 college football season started. He was dominant at Purdue, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors and garnering heavy interest in the transfer portal. Texas A&M swooped in early and nabbed their primary pass-rusher, adding to an already stout line. The Aggies have a terrific track record developing EDGE rushers, headlining the crew is Myles Garrett, Von Miller, and college superstar Damontre Moore. Every single one of those guys earned All-SEC honors during their time in College Station. Everything was shaping up for this 2024 Aggie defensive line to wreak havoc on opponents all season long. Shemar Stewart, first-rounder for the Bengals this year, manned the edge spot opposite Scourton, and they had two seniors holding down the interior. It’s fair to say that the vision did not come to fruition, as A&M’s top two defenders combined for just six-and-a-half sacks. The lack of production led to Scourton’s free fall on draft boards, but his traits were hard to ignore for the Panthers.
Scourton wins with power, and he does it very technically; by-the-book, some might say. He has really heavy, strong hands that help him quickly disengage with blockers in the run game. Scourton also utilizes his repertoire very tactically, as his patience leads to more pressure on the quarterback. Panthers coach Dave Canales even said that he didn’t think Scourton would be there, further proving how upside can sometimes weigh more than production. It’s also important to note that Scourton is still just 20 years old; he does not turn 21 until August.
Along with selecting Nic Scourton, Carolina added Princely Umanmielen in the third round, signed Patrick Jones II in free agency, and they are getting a healthy D.J. Wonnum back. This over-crowded EDGE room was on purpose because of all the different skill sets this group can provide. There is no question that Scourton is going to have to prove himself in training camp, but his upside as a dual-threat EDGE makes it plausible that he sees time early in the season. A new era in Carolina looms, and the 20-year-old Scourton has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone for the defense.
