Linebacker is one of the New England Patriots’ greatest needs entering the 2018 NFL Draft, and they’re reportedly hosting one of the best in this class for a pre-draft visit.
Alabama’s Rashaan Evans has a visit scheduled with the Patriots, AL.com’s Matt Zenitz reported Tuesday.
Evans is coming off a stellar senior season during which he recorded 74 tackles, six sacks, 13 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for the national champion Crimson Tide. Primarily an off-the-line inside linebacker, he also played some on the edge for Alabama and was one of the nation’s most effective blitzers.
Lauded for his athleticism, Evans is considered a first-round talent who could be available for the Patriots at No. 23 — a pick they acquired Tuesday in the Brandin Cooks trade. New England coach Bill Belichick attended Alabama’s pro day last month.
“Evans is an ideal inside linebacker fit for a blitz-happy 3-4 unit, but he could easily fit as a 4-3 WILL with rush potential on sub-packages,” Lance Zierlein wrote in Evans’ draft profile on NFL.com. “Evans is an early starter with high-end potential if he can stay healthy.”
The Patriots also own the 31st overall pick in the first round, plus two more selections in the second round (Nos. 43 and 63). Their current depth chart at linebacker consists of Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Elandon Roberts, Marquis Flowers, Harvey Langi and Nicholas Grigsby.
Evans also has visited or is scheduled to visit the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, per Zenitz’s report.
