Nick Easton

Nicholas Easton (born June 16, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive guard in the National Football League (NFL). Easton played college football for Harvard University. In the NFL, he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints.

Early life Easton played football at Hibriten High School in Lenoir, North Carolina, where he earned All-State honors, served as team captain his senior year and was twice named All-Conference and All-County. As a senior, he started as a center on the first undefeated regular season football team in school history. Easton was also a four-year member of the American Field Service Club and a letterman in track and field. Easton was a conference and county champion in discus, placing fourth in the regional championships with a throw of 41.15 meters (135 ft) as a senior.

College career

Easton attended Harvard University, where he played for the Harvard Crimson football team from 2010 to 2014. He did not play in any game as a true freshman in 2010. He played in 24 career games for Harvard and was a first-team All-Ivy League, BSN All-American, third-team Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-American and first-team FCS North All-American selection after starting all 10 contests as a senior in 2014.

As a sophomore in 2011, Easton appeared in four games; he was part of an offensive line unit that helped the Crimson earn an FCS No. 2 ranking in scoring offense, tallying 374 points (37.4 avg) and 51 total touchdowns. He helped pave the way for running back Treavor Scales to rush for career highs in yards, with 847 and touchdowns with 8.

Easton did not participate on the football team in 2012.

As a junior in 2013, Easton saw action in 10 games, earning All-Ivy League first-team honors, College Sports Madness All-Ivy second-team and FCS All-New England team honors. Harvard's offensive line achieved an FCS Top 10 ranking for team passing efficiency (7th overall) and allowed quarterback Conner Hempel to throw for a career-high 157 completions, 1,866 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Easton was a first-team All-Ivy League, fourth-team, BSN All-American, third-team FCS All-American and first-team FCS North All-American selection after starting all 10 contests as a senior in 2014. He also earned Academic All-Ivy League honors after majoring in economics. He was part of a Crimson offensive line unit that protected quarterback Scott Hosch, allowing him to set career highs in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns en route to a perfect 10–0 season. He helped pave the way for running back Paul Stanton to rush for a career-high 990 yards on 147 attempts and 11 touchdowns.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens Easton signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie free agent on May 7, 2015. He was one of the team's most consistent players during the preseason, earning the Ravens’ top overall grade (+9.1) from Pro Football Focus (PFF). His grade from PFF was also the highest of any center in the preseason and the seventh-best grade of any position player in the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers On September 5, 2015, Easton was acquired by the San Francisco 49ers from Baltimore in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft.

Minnesota Vikings On October 6, 2015, the 49ers traded Easton and a 2016 sixth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for linebacker Gerald Hodges.

Easton made his first-career start in place of starting center Joe Berger in Week 13 of the 2016 season against the Dallas Cowboys. The following week, Easton again filled in for Berger for the second straight game after the veteran was unable to clear the concussion protocol.

Easton earned himself a starting guard spot for the Vikings in 2017, starting 12 games at left guard before suffering a fractured right ankle in Week 16. He was placed on injured reserve on December 26, 2017.

On August 13, 2018, Easton was placed on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury in training camp.

New Orleans Saints On March 17, 2019, Easton signed a four-year $24 million contract with the New Orleans Saints to be their starting center after Max Unger retired.

On January 9, 2021, Easton was placed on injured reserve. He was released by the Saints on February 12, 2021.