NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Josh Evans, FS Florida

Player Information:

Josh Evans, FS Florida
6-1, 207 pounds
Hometown: Irvington, N.J.

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.54
20-yard shuttle: 4.10
Broad jump: 10′ 3″
Vertical jump: 34.5″

News and Notes:

Two-year starter alongside first-round hopeful Matt Elam … Started 24 games and appeared in a total of 47 during his time at Florida … Competed with Florida’s track team during the spring indoor season in 2010 … As a senior, Evans led the team with 79 tackles, including 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss … Built like a free safety, has the mentality of a strong safety … Recorded four tackles and an interception in his last college game in the Sugar Bowl against Louisville … Chose Florida over Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and Purdue … Was a high school quarterback

 What they’re saying about him: 

• CBSSports.com: “Has a lean, athletic build with very long arms. Attacking mentality stands out on film. He isn’t afraid to get physical and competes when the ball is in the air and after the catch, always attempting to rip it out of the ballcarrier’s grasp. Attacks the line of scrimmage when he reads run or when allowed to blitz, which he did effectively in 2012, recording 2.5 sacks.”

Video:

Video Analysis:

• Quick to the ball against the run and the pass.
• He wraps up when he tackles and isn’t afraid of oncoming blockers.
• His length is a huge asset for him. Rangy.
• He’s built like a free safety but has the mentality of a strong safety. Very aggressive player.
• Sometimes his aggressiveness gets the best of him, as he’ll over-pursue in the run game.
• He always seems to be near the football.
• Evans’ presence in the secondary allowed Matt Elam to roam and become the first-round hopeful that he is.

If drafted by the Packers:

In my opinion, Evans is one of the most underrated safeties in the draft. He’s been entirely overshadowed by teammate Matt Elam, but Evans has a real chance to be a Day 2 pick in his own right. Without Evans in the secondary, Elam likely wouldn’t have developed into the player he became. His presence on the back end allowed Elam to roam free and rely on his instincts to make plays.

Evans has a similar build to Morgan Burnett. Parallels can be drawn between Evans and Burnett on the field in terms of style of play as well.

The Packers would likely be able to land Evans with their third-round pick, and there’s a chance he’s around in the fourth round. Safety is in the conversation as being the team’s biggest need headed into the draft, and if they can’t land Kenny Vaccaro or Johnathan Cyprien in round one, they could turn to a guy like Evans later on and hope for the best.

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Follow @MJEversoll

Marques is a Journalism student, serving as the Sports Editor of UW-Green Bay\'s campus newspaper The Fourth Estate and a Packers writer at Jersey Al\'s AllGBP.com. Follow Marques on Twitter @MJEversoll.

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