Name: Mike Evans
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Texas A&M
Mike Evans paired up with Johnny Manziel to be one of the best Quarterback/Wide Receiver pairs in the country. Evans came in as a redshirt freshman in 2012 and proceeded to dominate his competition. In 2012 he earned First-Team Freshman All-SEC. Then 2013 rolled around and he continued to do the same thing again with Johnny Manziel. He provided Manziel with a big down field target and Manziel took advantage. In 2013 Evans was First-Team All-SEC and was a Consensus All-American.
Evans played really well in 2013 and raised his draft stock even more. I would not be surprised to see Evans taken as high as the 10th pick to the Lions and I don’t see him falling any farther than when the Ravens pick at 17. Teams may have been worried about Evans straight line speed, but he ran really well at the combine and may have eased some of those fears.
How Mike Evans Fits Ravens Needs
The Ravens really need another receiver to help Joe Flacco out. Evans would pair with Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta to give the Ravens a good trio for Flacco to throw too. On top of that, Evans plays the deep ball extremely well and that is a strength of Flaccos game.He would be a good compliment to Smith who is more of a speed guy too. Evans size and ability to high point the ball would be a huge help to open up more underneath routes as well as being a great red zone target.
Potential Impact as a Rookie
Evans would be able to come in right away and be the Ravens No. 2 receiver opposite Smith. Evans will immediately be a great red zone target with his height and would be able to use his size and leaping ability to go up and get the ball over smaller corners. Evans would have the ability to have the kind of impact and put up the stats that make him one of the non-quarterback front runners for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
What Evans Does Well
Evans used his size extremely well to go up and get the ball at its highest point. Evans has an NFL ready body and can step in straight away without being pushed around. Evans has very good hands and has great hand-eye coordination to adjust to the ball and make a tough catch. Once he makes the catch he isn’t easy to bring down. Evans will break through arm tackles and pick up extra yards. Doesn’t have elite speed, but is deceptively fast.
What Evans Struggles With
Doesn’t have elite speed and some think he might struggle to get separation in the pros. Doesn’t have a great burst off of the snap to eat up the cushion of the cornerback. Will he be able to dominate cornerbacks with size in the NFL?