Jason

Cabinda

The Lions moved Cabinda, a former linebacker, to fullback after signing him to their 2019 practice squad. The 25-year-old has appeared in 30 games over the past two seasons, making six starts. Cabinda will see most of his reps on special teams in 2022 after playing 242 snaps there last season.

All three were exclusive rights free agents, so their choices were to sign or pick up their ball and go home. A 2018 UDFA out of Penn State, Cabinda was ninth in offensive snaps amongst fullbacks last season. We would assume he will maintain a role under hard-nosed new coach Dan Campbell.

The former undrafted free agent started three games for the Raiders in 2018 and is a candidate to land on the practice squad. Cabinda graded out as PFF’s No. 24 overall linebacker among 124 qualified players last season.

Cabinda (6’1/239) made 36 starts for the Nittany Lions, tallying 16.5 career tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles, and earning second-team All-Big Ten from the conference’s coaches as a senior. A high-motor run thumper, Cabinda’s tape reveals a non-explosive athlete with pass-coverage limitations. Cabinda’s ceiling is likely in the Vince Williams range as an early-career special teams prospect with an outside chance to become a two-down inside linebacker.

Cabinda was an exclusive rights free agent. He made 10 appearances as an undrafted free agent last season, starting three games. This gives him an inside track to a 53-man roster spot.