NFL Draft: Re-grading every first round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft: Number 22 overall, LB Rashaan Evans
Rashaan Evans certainly looked the part. The speed is there, the power is there and the tenacity seems to be there as well. But, for whatever reason, his performance out on the field was flat-out awful.
Despite getting a few spot opportunities during his rookie year, the former Alabama star simply didn’t produce. He consistently found himself in the wrong spot at the wrong time and couldn’t wrap up ball handlers fast enough. With that said, the light switch slowly flicked on for him.
Evans started to show signs of life at the end of his rookie year and carried that momentum into his second year where he really came into his own. During his Sophomore campaign, Evans totaled 111 tackles, including nine for loss. He also punished quarterbacks, getting a hit on them eight times during the year. His 18 total tackles in three playoffs games during the year could be improved upon but he’s trending in the right direction.
This past season, Evans came close to putting together another season of at least 100 combined tackles, falling just short with 96. Evans is in a great spot at the moment. Not only is his play improving considerably but the Tennessee Titans have made back-to-back playoff appearances. If he keeps it up, it’s only a matter of time until he’s given a Pro Bowl nod.
Grade: B+