Each year are hundreds of stories being told during the planning and anticipation of the NFL Draft; the 2017 NFL Draft is no different. Today we will be looking at a scouting report for senior safety Justin Evans, Texas A&M.
S-Justin Evans, Texas A&M 6’ 199 lbs.
This year’s safety class is quite talented. Evans has less big college experience than most as he spent his first two seasons playing for a small community college. Like many NFL hopefuls, playing in the NFL was a lifelong dream. Because I’m a high school football coach and educator by trade, let’s break down what I saw in the four games I reviewed of the junior play maker: 2016 contests versus UCLA, Tennessee, Alabama, and LSU. These game videos are available via draftbreakdown.com. Here are my thoughts:
Cons: The former Aggie believes that the ball is always his and sometimes will go to great lengths to make a play on it; regardless of how it impacts the rest of the defense. This “my ball mentality” gets him and the rest of the defense in dangerous situations when Evans doesn’t make the play. It appears that the safety cannot play both the ball and the receiver; he usually chooses the pigskin. The defender plays a very physical style, but isn’t exactly built to take the hits he dishes out. That could shorten his career if he isn’t careful. The safety also leaves his feet too often when bringing the ball carrier down, especially when Evans takes bad angles.
Pros: Evans tracks the pigskin as well as any receiver. He can time his jumps well and catch the ball at its highest point shielding the ball from the intended target. The former Aggie loves to create contact with receivers and is an excellent open field tackler when he uses proper technique. It’s his athleticism combined with a good center of gravity along with loose hips that allow him to roam a huge range around the field. While he usually played eight yards off the line of scrimmage, Evans can cover slot receivers or come up as a strong safety (usually did this in short yardage situations). He is a good kickoff returner as well.
Overall impressions: Unlike Malik Hooker, Jamal Adams, Obi Melifonwu, Mr. Evans should have a cheaper rookie fantasy draft price with almost the same amount of upside. I see him making an impact from day one improving his NFL and dynasty teams. Sure the safety plays with reckless abandon, but he will force turnovers and never shy away from making a tackle .
Thanks for reading. I will continue to discuss my scouting reports with you throughout the next few weeks, please keep checking the site for more of my content. You can also follow me on Twitter @AndrewMiley.
