Versatile Defensive Back
April 28th, 2017
Hybrid
Apparently this Justin Evans, despite his poor tackling, is a versatile defensive back.
Evans, the Bucs’ brand new second round pick out of Texas A&M is projected as an NFL safety. But Joe Clarkin of SECNation.com claims he can also play corner and may have given Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht flashbacks to his Cardinals days working for Arizona general manager Steve Keim.
Though he’s viewed as a safety prospect first and foremost, Evans’ speed and quickness would likely allow him to spend time at cornerback, specifically in the slot. Versatility is a key in today’s NFL, so Evans will be well served by his ability to play the slot. It would not be difficult to envision Evans playing in a Tyrann Mathieu-style hybrid role.
Of course, it was Licht who led the Arizona investigation into the background research of “Honey Badger,” Mathieu.
So perhaps Licht is trying to channel his Cardinals days with Evans?
April 28th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Ryan smith project 2.0
April 28th, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Ummm doesn’t Mike Smith like their FS to come down and cover the slot on occasion? I think yes…
April 28th, 2017 at 9:02 pm
Jason Licht proving once again unless something just falls into his lap (Jameis/OJ) he’ll make boneheaded picks every now and then.
Should have traded up for Cook or Mixon. Could have taken much better defensive players available.
Heck. Be smart like Arizona was and trade up for Baker.
Licht gonna Licht.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:02 pm
Signing Wilcox and this picks says a lot of Tandy. The coaching staff knows his 5 game streak was a once in a lifetime streak for him.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:02 pm
Because you say he’s a project.. hilarious. Did you watch the “Tape” and grade him?
April 28th, 2017 at 9:04 pm
DB that can’t tackle in 2nd round … as bad as a kicker that can’t make an f’in field goal, Licht should just trade our 2nd round picks from now on!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:04 pm
If you paid attention this pick in the 2nd wasn’t a surprise. There are other sites that actually provide information…
April 28th, 2017 at 9:05 pm
profootballrumors.com predicted this pick several days ago.
Their site seems to have the best info
April 28th, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Evans was recruited from Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. (Perkinston, MS) class of 2015. He committed to Texas A&M on 5/1/2014.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Way to miss on Obi….what are you all thinking in that war room. You all drinking?
April 28th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
^^ Obi is an athlete. Evans is a football player.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
I say they beef him up and I like the pick better than the VHG pick in the first last season…lol
He’s a scrapper, a hitter, and a ball-hawk from what I can tell from the little highlight reels out there.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
He is fast and very aggressive. He will be fine.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:09 pm
Wow, terrible tackler. Don’t see him ever getting on the field. The dude has great instincts in the passing game and literally runs people’s routes. Shut down OJ Howard against Alabama… couldn’t tackle my mom. His Tennessee tape is a clinic on how to tackle poorly. Very disappointed in this pick.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Jeezus, there’s some stupid comments here. Reflexive negativity. Watch the highlights. This guy brings it. Lays people out. If anyone reads the other popular Bucs website (can’t name it here), you’d know this is not a surprise pick.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Stats to know: In his final nine games, he gave up just 19 catches on 32 targets for 107 yards and had two interceptions and six pass break-ups. Bucs fans really complaining ?? Some say 3rd best safety ? He was projected a 2nd rounder and compared as the second coming of Earl Thomas !!! Once he puts on another 15to 20 pounds watch out and can play CB !!!!Wow people are complaining?? Do you think we messed up with Howard Too ?? Morons !! Go BUCS and Kareem Hunt or Marlon Mack next #BucsLife
April 28th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
You fools supporting this pick need to watch his Alabama and Tennessee tape. Can’t tackle ANYBODY!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
This is no inditement on tandy. He is a starter. Conte and wilcox are the questiin marks. This regime likes versatile players. The sooner some of you realize this the better. Cook? Mixon? Who the hell cares? There are more running backs still on the board. Which reminds me……nole, where is my jersey?
April 28th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
You’re right Brandon… he will NEVER see the field. You are right I’m surprised you work and Hardee’s…
April 28th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
Am I happy? No I’m not, but CB’s were flying off the board. Obi was there for the taking. I guess he likes little DB’s. Idk…I’m sure Smitty had some input at least.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
This is why conte will always play for mike smith
He is the best 2nd level sure tackler…even with all his worts
When licht drafts these anklebiters like ryan smith and justin evens, conte is forced to play
These lightweights are too scared to stop jonaton stewart
April 28th, 2017 at 9:12 pm
“bucs_365 Says:
April 28th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
^^ Obi is an athlete. Evans is a football player.”
THANK YOU!!!! People get so caught up on combine numbers. Evans can actually cover.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Oh well, what’s done is done.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:14 pm
read this:
https://texags.com/s/24244/justin-evans-selected-by-tampa-bay-in-nfl-drafts-2nd-round
April 28th, 2017 at 9:15 pm
Okay first of all those of u talking about a person that could not tackle remember mark baron he was the best tackling safety in the draft what’s is he doing at the moment look if u look at the tape this kid got talent but with good coaching witch we got with mike smith this kid could be a steal I like the pick u can take a good player all u want but he don’t have proper coaching that good player could be a bust just saying
April 28th, 2017 at 9:16 pm
Tackling can be taught. Instincts can’t. This guy runs through people. Huge hitter, good coverage guy.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Btw…. some of you turds were blasting licht for drafting marpet. Licht should have drafted obi from uconn? You have no where near the knowledge and research on a player than licht has. You think the bucs should have drafted obi over evans? Why? Because of todd mcshay’s or kiper’s top 100? GTFOOH!!!!!!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Brandon, gonna agree with you. Tennessee he was spun around so much it wasn’t funny. He doesn’t wrap good. As far as watching “highlights”, a ton of players look great on highlight reels.
I saw a ton of occasions it looked like not great effort. I want to be so wrong about this pick. I wasn’t high on OBI either so I’m not that guy.
Like his length and he plays with good instincts in the passing game. His angles on the run game are really weird unless head on. Likes to come up from behind.
Someone in the Bucs sees something so I will trust this, but I am not crazy about this one.
Not comparable to the Honey Badger.. lets not forget he was a Heisman trophy candidate, a sure fire top 10 pick without the drug issues.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:18 pm
I care about the fact that he has a nose for the football when it’s in the air. Teaching him to wrap up is easy. Ball skills are much harder to teach.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Funny how everyone is not an expert on this guy all of a sudden and are already trashing him. Probably watched film on him for the first time 15 minutes ago. He does seem very versatile with good range. The tackling issues can be coached up and by the way, we do have an excellent D staff in place. I’m not worried and excited to see what he can do for the Bucs!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Can we stop saying he is not a good tackler.
He is a damn good tackler. He is just over aggressive at times which screws up his angle.
He can cover and has good hands too.
His flaws are coachable.
Good pick and fits a need.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Bottom line: Jason Licht, Dirk Koetter, and Mike Smith know more football than any of you… Complainers go home.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Can’t tackle is BS, dude stood Bo Scarbourough straight up on a 3rd down.
He’s just a missle who is a hitter. will be coached out of that.
Targeting flags will be his downside.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:23 pm
webster…Obi went a few slots later.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
I think he should have went for another kicker, at least the kicker can wrap up!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:25 pm
Can’t tackle? He does have a problem over running tackles because he’s too fast, but that can be learned with the right coaching. When it comes to hits, dude is a head banger.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
People complaining have no clue about football?? When real experts and not couch fans say he’s the second coming to Earl Thomas ?!?! That’s a step up and going to be a great season !!! And to the morons saying he won’t see the field?? Lmao it’s probably because you are legally blind, but he will and couch fans shut it
April 28th, 2017 at 9:27 pm
The only draft advisor i trust is Jason Licht. If he thinks it’s a good pick then it must a good pick for the team. Nobody knows what goes on behind the scenes. I’ll like the pick until it proves me wrong. Go BUCS ☠️
April 28th, 2017 at 9:28 pm
The more I read about this kid, the more I like…..He actually shared the defensive MVP honors at A&M with Myles Garrett….that’s pretty good company.
I trust this pick….until I don’t.
I also like anyone named Evans from Texas A&M…….
April 28th, 2017 at 9:28 pm
Way to lose the Draft Tampa. Hah travesty
April 28th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
started season well vs ucla. gets up with 40in vertical and used it on this int of josh rosen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-HWYyiJjyw
April 28th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
MrNolesAllDay should say your a moron
April 28th, 2017 at 9:31 pm
Chris Conte runs faster in the 40.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:32 pm
I like his coverage skills but we would say he was a good tackler if he was. I watched 4 game films. Not highlights and he misses a lot of tackles for a safety. If this was a cover corner, ok, maybe I live with it..
He will be a welcome addition to defending the pass in the middle of the field, I hope and believe but I watched a reasonable amount of A&M, very entertaining, they gave up a lot of big plays.
I like his length would like to know his true speed numbers, he looks faster than the 4.6 he ran at his pro day and good instincts will do that, but in the NFL speed helps. Once you show your instincts the OC will use them against you and make up speed is a must. He will do well in coverage versus the tight ends in the league which has always given us fits. He has long arms and a 41″ vert which translate to him playing more 3-4 inches taller than he is.
I’m not saying he’s a bad player, but he is a bad tackler. I know the old saying “you can teach tackling” but in the new NFL you really can’t. Contact is so limited now the skill of tackling is not as quickly taught as you might think. He can work against a tackling dummy but a real live human not so much
April 28th, 2017 at 9:33 pm
Time will tell but I gotta say if this kid works out Licht’s reputation will be enhanced because this is NOT the safe pick especially with Demarcus Walker still on the board. What would that have done to juice our rush. Is the pass rush more important than who plays centerfield in the defense?
April 28th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Notice all the Whiners are first time posters. If Ur gonna join the site and leave don’t leave negativity. Demarcus Walker fans are the only ones who can complain. Obi isn’t listed as a top 6 safety on NFL Network right now. I trust licht. And there’s a reason. I also know that this was a lot of Mike Smith. For them to slightly reach then I believe smith is in love. Fine by me. As long as a running back and wideout are next which I believe they are. Perine makes this night better
April 28th, 2017 at 9:39 pm
Damn Nole fans are the worst.
They will probably be protesting One Buc over not getting DC
April 28th, 2017 at 9:44 pm
Trust Licht , Koetter .. same guys have wasted 2nd round picks for a few drafts in a row
April 28th, 2017 at 9:47 pm
LMAO
Bucs let the Saints get Kamara and Adrian Peterson. smh
April 28th, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Apparently, Licht, Koetter and Smith did their homework on all of these edge rushers and don’t think any of them can play. Bengals just took Jordan Willis. Who’s left? Are they really going into this season with the same group of DE’s? Wow…
April 28th, 2017 at 10:35 pm
@87
Im aware that obi went later than evans. My point was who is to say the bucs were wrong for not picking him instead of evans. Some of these clowns are making their assestment based on mcshay and kiper. Comical!!!
April 28th, 2017 at 11:17 pm
tight end, safety, reciever, needs being addressed, holes being filled, some of ya’ll do not like the pick, get over it, with the talent this team has acquired, the last few years, and with the additions of our new tight end and reciever, especially the addition of djax, man we are looking YOUNG and STOUT, and going to be a force to reckon with for a long time, give this guy some time to be coached up, if it works out great, if not we got, to move on, i am quite happy with licht and koetter, look where we at now, ya’ll do remember, raheem, dominic, and the famous lovie and leslie show do you not, come on ya’ll bucs are rocking the house, and i am all in!!
April 28th, 2017 at 11:32 pm
Broy34… LMFAO!!! Really? First time posters are whiners?? You regulars are the biggest b!tches on here… You especially
April 29th, 2017 at 10:10 am
Ok two quick facts, he played safety in the SEC, you can’t play in the SEC and not be willing to tackle. Also, if he is known as a hitter, we can assume he doesn’t shy away from contact. Tackling is made up of two things technique and want to. You can’t coach want to, but he can learn to wrap up better. If he is a hitter who doesn’t shy away from contact, technique can be taught. I think this kid will be an upgrade on last year. For all the bitching people are doing, look at this draft. 4 picks and I would argue 2 starters and two players who will see playing time as rookies and likely be starters in two years. You build teams in the draft by building the talent on your team, not by trying to patch holes every year. The success of av draft is more about the contributions you get 3 years later than immediate impact.
April 29th, 2017 at 10:59 am
Poor Tackling Joe? In all the clips I’ve seen of this dude, HE’s fast hits hard, and makes tackles. Kid plays with an energy I love. And he’s always around the ball..unlike some of our current secondary guys who magically appear…after the play! ME think this is an..outstanding choice for us.