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2025 NFL draft: Panthers earn high marks from SI for Nic Scourton pick

Sports Illustrated loves the Panthers pick once again.
Zach Roberts|
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) defends in coverage against LSU Tigers offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) during the fourth quarter. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) defends in coverage against LSU Tigers offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) during the fourth quarter. The Aggies defeated the Tigers 38-23; at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers moved up six picks in the draft to be able to pick Nic Scourton, Texas A&M edge rusher. Moving up is a precarious game, as it's difficult to get the value for the package you're giving up. In a rare move, the Panthers kept the same number of picks, they just swapped a few of them around with the Denver Broncos.

That is good in and of itself, but the pick was good, at least according to Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano. They gave the Tetairoa McMillan pick an A grade, and this one gets a B+ as the Panthers finally address the edge.

"After adding a weapon for Bryce Young with Tetairoa McMillan in Round 1, the Panthers finally added help for the defensive side. Scourton’s workman-like approach could lead to a productive career as a starter. The 6' 3", 257-pound edge rusher is a handful for his blocker thanks to his high motor and impressive strength," Manzano said. "It’s a positive sign that Scourton managed to make a name for himself after transferring from Purdue and joining Texas A&M’s stacked defensive front. Scourton had 10 sacks at Purdue in 2023 and another five sacks in his lone season at College Station."

Scourton was a first-round prospect on some big boards. Earlier on in the process, some mock drafts even had the Panthers taking him at eight overall. The fact that they managed to circle back in the second round, and not exactly early on at 51, and get him is a nice move by GM Dan Morgan who is quietly having a good draft.

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Zach Roberts
ZACH ROBERTS

Zachary Roberts is a journalist with a wide variety of experience covering basketball, golf, entertainment, video games, music, football, baseball, and hockey. He currently covers Charlotte sports teams and has been featured on Sportskeeda, Yardbarker, MSN, and On SI.

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