NFL Network media insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley will sign with the New Orleans Saints. This after the New England Patriots reportedly withdrew from consideration. Fairley had been on a one-year, $5 million deal with the Rams last season.
#Patriots will be out on DT Nick Fairley, an indication he's expected to sign with #Saints. Should be a huge addition to their defense.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2016
Nick Fairley Expected To Sign with New Orleans Saints
The 28-year-old Fairley was the least used of the three interior defensive linemen that saw regular playing time for the Rams last season. As a result, his stats on the season weren’t impressive by any means. He finished with just a half a sack and was 15th on the team in tackles with 18.
Fairley’s first four seasons in the league were with the Detroit Lions. His 2012 and 2013 campaigns stand out in particular. He made 22 starts and had a combined 11.5 sacks. During those two seasons, he never finished worse than third on the team in that category.
He also was tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles each season. In 2013, he scored a touchdown off a fumble recovery. He also was one of two defensive players that year, Ndamukong Suh being the other, to get credit for forcing a safety.
The Mobile, AL native had a standout collegiate career at Auburn. He received all-SEC and consensus all-American honors in 2010. That year, he tallied 11.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss both of which led the conference. It was for that reason that he was among the more coveted defensive line prospects among NFL teams out of college.
The Lions would pick him in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was selected 13th overall.
