2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Akayleb Evans
- Position: Cornerback
- School: Missouri
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 198lbs
Film Watched: Kentucky 2021, Arkansas 2021, SMU 2020
Pro's:
- Possesses the NFL measurement triumvirate: Tall, long and quick
- Length allows him to bully receivers off the line of scrimmage
- Limpet-like through the route in press coverage
- Fast. Comfortable running shotgun all the way with vertical receivers
- Able to recover and close separation throughout short and intermediate routes
- Height and length apparent at the catch point, where receivers rarely get their own way
- Big hitter when it’s there to be made. Loves to hit ball carriers in run support
- Stepped up to the SEC after four years at Tulsa and production remained impressive
Akayleb Evans is a CB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.53 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 92 out of 1923 CB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/CPDx6YIW5n #RAS pic.twitter.com/Swz5zz1h5G
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 1, 2022
Con's:
- Height brings with it a high-cut frame, and is a little stiff as a result
- Shifty receivers can work open some daylight when in phase – off-man coverage not his forte
- Still developing his instincts, and doesn’t play with the anticipation to steal a march and undercut routes
- Needs to pay more attention to angles & balance in order to avoid missing opportunities to make a play
- Not a ballhawk by any stretch. Just one interception in his college career
The Verdict:
“Akayleb Evans enters the NFL with a profile very similar to that of Tariq-Castro Fields; a toolsy prospect with the requisite measurements but not necessarily fully comfortable in all his assignments. The difference is that Evans is still developing and seems to possess much more upside; three successful years at Tulsa encouraged him to test himself at a higher level, and the SEC did just that. But despite some teething problems early at Mizzou, Evans raised his game - and I don’t think he’s finished yet. Evans needs a little more confidence reading his keys and trusting his instincts, something that did take a step forward in 2021. If he can continue that progression Evans has the rest in his locker to develop into a starting NFL cornerback by year three.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: AJ TERRELL
PREDICTION: 5TH ROUND PICK
5/5