STRENGTHS
Evan has good overall size, speed and athleticism to become a core player in the passing game for the team that selects him. He shows excellent effort blocking and has the speed to split the safeties. He can run the hash marks forcing safeties to cover him and this opens up the outside receivers for single converges. Evan is a difficulty match up for most linebackers to cover and stay with because of his speed and it’s almost impossible on short crossing routes for first downs to stop him. He is a solid receiver showing good hands and route running ability. In the red zone Evan has the size and strength to become the type of receiver quarterbacks love to throw to on slants and curl routes. Evan has had a good college career and with a strong arm quarterback at the next level could continue to be a core player on offense for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Evan lacks the lateral agility to adjust to passes thrown to him and change direction quickly to block opponents. He lacks the hip flexibility to change routes on the run but he can compensate for this with hard work and understanding his limitations. This also affects his ability to gain yardage after the catch because he will not be able to juke players who are ready to make tackles in the open field. Evan also struggles with constancy catching contested balls because of this lack of ability to adjust to the ball in the air. His strength is his straight line speed and size and the work ethic he shows on the field to become stronger and better with the talents he has now.

BOTTOM LINE
Evan has been a very good player at the college level and there is no reason that can’t continue at the NFL level but he is limited to running certain routes and because of his lack of lateral agility his blocking will struggle to be consistent. Use him in the slot and have him run crossing routes and tight end routes like he did for his college team makes a lot of sense. Hopefully he improves hand strength to hang on to balls that are being contested because that will be the key for him to impact at the next level. He has talent to play on the outside as a wide receiver in the red zone but he has to be able to adjust to the ball in the air and catch the ball at its high point while being contested. If he can accomplish this than Evan becomes the type of player who quarterbacks buy bling, bling and cars for.

Drew Boylhart  JAN.2017