Browns: Top 5 linebacker targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
2. Rashaan Evans, Alabama
The University of Alabama’s football team has a history of amazing front seven defenders. Linebacker Rashaan Evans has continued this tradition by being an absolute beast in 2017, and throughout his entire career with the Crimson Tide.
At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds of muscle, Evans is about a 4.6 second 40-yard dash runner, and will probably open a lot of eyes at the Scouting Combine. With 66 tackles (11.5 for loss) and six sacks on the year, Evans still has a lot of room to grow as a player.
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NFL.com and the league’s scouts obviously have a ton of praise for Evans, as noted in his official draft profile. Not only did they give Evans a 6.22 out of 9.0 pre-Combine grade, but they had plenty to say about his athletic ability.
"“Build like new breed of NFL linebackers. Possesses good length and great speed. Premium athlete with plus agility, range and explosiveness.”"
Like the NFL’s website said, Evans is a linebacker of the future. He is a truly intelligent player, but his lack of instincts as a true linebacker also impact his play. Evans had a late start as an inside linebacker, but he still managed to succeed in Tuscaloosa.
Evans is a linebacker/edge-rusher hybrid who can flat-out fly across the field, and he will be a nightmare for opposing offenses at the next level.
As a relatively young linebacker, Evans is already nearly a lock for a first-round pick, and the Scouting Combine hasn’t even taken place yet. He is a freaky athlete with tons of upside and an already amazing skillset, he might be the best option for the Browns if he somehow slips out of the first round.