6th Round #1: Jordan Evans, LB, Oklahoma

[HoosierCat]

Welcome to the taxi squad, whoever you are!

[TJJackson]

Still need a OT and a LB or two, plus a CB

[Stripes]

Gimme one of those shiny late-round safeties Marvin likes.

[kingwilly]

OHoping they snag underrated corner from Minnesota, Jalen Myrick. Guy has  great speed and ability. 

[HoosierCat]

OVERVIEW

Evans followed in his father's footsteps as an all-conference player for the Sooners; Scott was a three-time all-conference defensive tackle for Oklahoma in the late 1980's. Jordan earned his own All-Big 12 honors the past two seasons, starting with a second-team effort in 2015 despite missing two games due to injury. (83 tackles, five for loss, sack, four pass break-ups). He was a second-team pick in his senior year, as well, leading the Sooners with 98 tackles and four interceptions (also had 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and eight pass break-ups). Evans started all 13 games as a sophomore, making 93 stops, 6.5 for loss, and two pass break-ups, one year after contributing in eight games in 2013 (12 tackles, missed five with an injury).

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

 Carries prototypical NFL frame for the position with low body fat and good length. Flexible and athletic. Productive tackler. Able to turn the corner sharply and track down running backs looking to burst between the tackles. Plus reactive quickness for sudden lateral explosion as a tackler. Has the twitch-trigger to fire downhilll and make plays. Carries outstanding play speed and has the potential to range around the field if kept clean. Fluid cover man in space in man or zone. Possesses ball skills and physical tools to play all three downs. Had twelve passes defensed this season including four interceptions.

WEAKNESSES

 Finesse player. Scouts say he turns down too many opportunities to bang when it is in front of him. Often at the mercy of blockers. Needs to play stronger to maintain control of the rep in run support. Struggles to leverage his gap. Inconsistent angles to the football takes him out of some plays. Needs to be a more squared, physical finisher as a tackler. Allowed too many missed and broken tackles this season.

DRAFT PROJECTION

 Rounds 5-6

BOTTOM LINE

 Productive, three-year starter who will garner attention as a height, weight, speed prospect especially after his strong pro day workout. Evans may lack the physical nature to hold up inside so he may have to find his way as a backup outside linebacker. Evans has enough traits and talent to become an eventual starter if he can play with better toughness and consistency.

-Lance Zierlein

[Stripes]

Okay sure

[kingwilly]

Not terrible. 

[TJJackson]

6 minutes ago, kingwilly said:

Not terrible. 

I agree, but thats as positive as I can get.

Sadly, that makes this pick my favorite of this horrendously bad draft

[COB]

Teams possibility.  Who knows though.  Could get into an NFL strength program for a year or two and become an NFL player.  Which is what they're looking for at this point, potential.