John

Penisini

Penisini can sign with another team is he gets healthy, though after briefly retiring last offseason, it’s unclear if he will continue to pursue football. He began his career as a sixth-round pick with the Lions in 2020 and appeared in 32 games for them over the first two years of his career. He has not played a regular season snap since.

Penisini retired last offseason after just two seasons, but will give it a go in Carolina this offseason. He’s a rotational run-stuffer who could see some early-down work if he makes the Panthers.

A sixth-round draft pick by the Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft, Penisini took to Instagram on Saturday to announce his retirement. During his brief stint with the Lions, Penisini appeared in 32 games, which included 12 starts during his rookie season. He totaled 49 tackles, four TFLs and one sack in his career. Prior to being drafted, Penisini was a standout DT at Utah and was twice named Second-team All-Pac 12.

A two-year starter at defensive tackle, Penisini (6’1/318) earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors both seasons. Penisini is a “low man wins” player by default and was more effective plugging gaps against the run than rushing the passer. He lacks the burst off the line of scrimmage (25.5-inch vertical) and the pass-rushing moves to be effective on passing downs in the NFL (2.0 sacks as a senior), but Penisini has enough strength and “want to” to compete for rotational snaps in rushing situations. He will be 23 years old as a rookie.

A two-year starter at defensive tackle, Penisini (6’1/318) earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors both seasons. Penisini is a “low man wins” player by default and was more effective plugging gaps against the run than rushing the passer. He lacks the burst off the line of scrimmage (25.5-inch vertical) and the pass-rushing moves to be effective on passing downs in the NFL (2.0 sacks as a senior), but Penisini has enough strength and “want to” to compete for rotational snaps in rushing situations. He will be 23 years old as a rookie.