Falcons hosting former first-round pick Rashaan Evans in free agency

DHH19121506 HOU at TEN

After losing Foye Oluokun in free agency to the Jaguars, the Falcons have a hole in the middle of their defense. With Deion Jones and Mykal Walker under contract for the 2022 season, Atlanta doesn’t need an off-ball linebacker, but the latter is a bit unproven at this point in his career. While the former has just been descending in production since signing a lucrative extension years ago under the former regime.

It seems Terry Fontenot won’t look to count on just Walker and Jones because Atlanta is hosting former Titans’ first-rounder Rashaan Evans, per Adam Schefter.

At 26-years-old, Evans didn’t have his fifth-year option picked up by Tennessee and will test the free-agent market for the first time in his career. The former 22nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has a connection to the Falcons’ coaching staff. Arthur Smith was in Tennessee during most of Evans’ tenure, while Dean Pees was his defensive coordinator on the Titans.

The 6-2, 232-pound Alabama product recorded 2.5 sacks in 2019 but fell out of favor last year, only starting 11 games. However, he recorded two interceptions in the 12 games he played last season.

The Falcons could really use Evans, and Evans could use a change of scenery. The Titans signed Zach Cunningham to effectively replace Evans, and the former Titan could effectively replace Oluokun. He’s a traditional run-thumping inside linebacker but can also take snaps on the EDGE. He’s a unique linebacker at 232-pounds because he plays much bigger than his listed weight. This could be a great value signing for Fontenot and the Falcons.

Photographer: Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire

We appreciate all of our readers’ support; if you haven’t, please check out the SportsTalkATL store!

Scroll to Top
%d bloggers like this: