The Rams went ahead and drafted two linemen in this year’s NFL Draft, among those linemen was the third-round pick out of Oklahoma, Bobby Evans. Evans is billed as the high upside and athletic tackle that could kick inside to play guard if need be. Evans while toolsy, still has plenty of room for growth. Here is our preview on Evans as he heads into his rookie year.
College Career
Evans started three years at tackle for the Oklahoma Sooners. Once 2018 rolled along, Evans was flexed out to left tackle to replace the newly-drafted tackle Orlando Brown.
In 2015, Evans was forced to sit and watch from the sidelines in what would become the four-star high school recruit’s redshirt season. The season after would be his redshirt freshman season. Evans would be named an honorable mention All-Big 12 tackle by the coaches after starting in 12 of the 13 games at right tackle that year. It’s worth mentioning Evans had his head on straight, he pulled in the honors of All-Big 12 First Team Academic honoree.
In 2017, Evans would once again receive an honorable mention for the All-Big 12 tackle selection. He kept up his success in the classroom as well, grabbing the All-Big 12 Second Team Academic honoree. Evans displayed his overall durability in his sophomore season as he started in all 14 games for the Sooners at right tackle.
Evans redshirt junior year would, of course, be his best yet. The former four-star high school recruit had really made a name for himself after starting off his career as a redshirt. Evans officially moved over to the left tackle position to protect new starting quarterback Kyler Murray‘s blindside. Evans thrived in this year’s role which ultimately ended up in a second-team All-Big 12 selection after once again, starting all 14 games in the season.
All of this would eventually lead to the Rams selection of Evans in the third round. It’s fair to say Evans might not have been the flashiest choice, but the former Sooner blindside protector brings a lot of upside and durability to the table.
Roster Battle
Evans will battle his fellow draftee David Edwards for the primary backup tackle spot. Right now, Edwards absolutely has an early preseason hold of it but as Evans gets more acclimated and comfortable he could definitely make a play. Evans is an absolute lock to make the team being a third-round pick the Rams traded up to get. However, it’s not guaranteed that Evans will even have a role this year. The way the team is right now if there are zero injuries the Rams may never play their third-round pick.