“It’s All Or Nothing When He Comes”
April 28th, 2017
The Bucs’ new rookie safety Justin Evans is what Raheem Morris might have a called a “wild child,” but in a good way.
Frankly, Joe just hopes Evans isn’t like the safety drafted 10 years ago in the second round: Sabby The Goat Piscitelli.
Here’s a bottom line Evans, via NFL.com, from film guru Lance Zierlein.
Regular readers here will see that he’s a Dirk Koetter man.
Soft-spoken but carries a walloping stick. Plays the game with an elevated sense of urgency and excitement. He is a little undersized, but has plus speed, is an extremely physical hitter and can play deep or near the line of scrimmage. Athleticism and ball skills might lead a team to test him out as a slot corner. Regardless of where he plays, he has the talent to become a plus NFL starter and a potential Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) draft selection.
Mike Mayock, a former NFL safety himself who now is NFL Network’s premier draft guru, said tonight “it’s all or nothing when [Evans] comes to tackle.” Very aggressive dude, says Mayock.
Joe can’t speak now for how Evans will fit with the Bucs, but they needed more talent at safety. And now they got it.
April 28th, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Good pick. Bit of a reach but with signing Wilcox it seems more clear now w Evans addition what Smith wants to do.
April 28th, 2017 at 8:57 pm
He is a hard hitter but unfortunately he leads with his head most of the time. Bucs will have to retrain his tackling technique.
April 28th, 2017 at 8:59 pm
This was anything but a good pick. It was a reach for a so so player. Much better talent available. That was a whiff.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Looks like our second dairy will be aggressive!Literally!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
I love this pick.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:01 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 9:05 pm
Love it when people denounce a pick before the guy has put a jersey on. I trust Licht and the Bucs scouting department. They obviously know something that you all do not.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Good pick but a reach….Go Bucs
April 28th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB6s5mGb94o
Alabama was driving — again — and feeding Derrick Henry — some more — when Texas A&M safety Justin Evans lowered his shoulder and knocked Henry backward. Evans, at 195 pounds, weighs 47 pounds less than Henry
via saturdaydownsouth
April 28th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
I’m okay with the Evans pick. He was projected 2nd or 3rd round. I expect they may trade up for WR Chris Godwin and then hope RB Marlon Mack falls to 4th round…and grab him. I also think they’re keeping Doug Martin at this point…something I have suspected…expected…and supported all along.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:13 pm
I like the speed, needed badly, especially in the NFC South. Doesn’t help to make a tackle (not his strong point) if he can’t be there, and I think this pick will help better for coverage overall, especially slant routes. Better than Conte and Tandy? We’ll see. But we got some depth and someone who is expected to hold their own in coverage.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:15 pm
Booooooo!!!!!
April 28th, 2017 at 9:18 pm
Like all picks only time will tell but it is a head scratcher at minimum.
Was our pass rush so studly last year we feel set. Demarcus Walker not only fit a far more important need but has done so well. I realize there are coverage sacks and actual DL effort sacks but I like to start right up front with the DL….I just hope Walker doesn’t haunt this pick forever kind of like Kuechely and Barron…our last reach for a safety.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Stpetebucsfan
Licht has been scarred from Roberto that he was scared of getting FSU guys in round 2. Walker was there. I just don’t get it.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
I have never posted on here before, but have been an avid Tampa fan for many years, and have been reading this blog since it came out.. I really like the o.j. Howard pick at 19 that was a steal.. but did anyone else see thus coming.. safety us a concern but is he even better than Wilcox
April 28th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
I like the kind of player he is described as. He is a cover guy. Not a strong safety that plays in the box and makes a ton of tackles. He is the single high safety that can play sideline to sideline with his great speed. He has above average coverage skills. He brings a big stick! So he might not wrap up. He can learn to do that. You can’t teach aggressiveness though. And that is what it sounds like he has. Anyone upset that he doesnt wrap up is missing all if the great untrainable attributes he has.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:33 pm
StPete safety is far and away our biggest need coming into the draft. We spent a high second rounder on a DE last year, have Ayers, Smith coming back and some role players. DE pick would have been a luxury pick and would have ignored our most pressing needs.
April 28th, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Are D Line is solid ?? Ayers, Baker, G McCoy, Spawn aka Spence, and a healthy J Smith ?? I know I’m forgetting the other DL, but Brate and Howard lining up ?!? Wow with Evans and D Jackson !!! O man we are going to be a team to reckon with !!! All these couch fans make me sick !!! Go Bucs and that safety is being compared to Earl Thomas and was the 2nd MVP on Defense behind Garret???