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2017 NFL Draft: Three Mid-Low Round Safeties That Could Find Their Way On The Jaguars Roster

By Michael Sheppard

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack running back Don Jackson (6) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Justin Evans (14) after a reception during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Wolf Pack 44-27. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack running back Don Jackson (6) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Justin Evans (14) after a reception during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Wolf Pack 44-27. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s that  time of year again, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to be taking full advantage of their 2017 NFL draft picks.

The Jacksonville Jaguars already have a number of talented safeties on their roster, but could be looking to load up on even more during the 2017 NFL Draft.

The 2017 NFL Draft has a good amount of depth at the safety position. With the recent acquisitions of highly paid Tashaun Gipson and Barry Church, as well as guys like Jarrod Wilson and James Sample, drafting a safety in the first or second round seems somewhat unlikely for the Jaguars. Many scouts and analysts say the Jaguars could be looking at Jamal Adams (LSU) or Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) in order to complete their depth at safety. However, with much more important needs to fill, I think the Jaguars are going into look to the lower rounds of the draft in order to fill the shoes.

With a number of talented safeties in the draft, we are going to take a look at a few players who could potentially fit in nicely with the young Jaguars defense.

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack running back Don Jackson (6) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Justin Evans (14) after a reception during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Wolf Pack 44-27. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack running back Don Jackson (6) is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Justin Evans (14) after a reception during the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Wolf Pack 44-27. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Justin Evans (SS) – Texas A&M

Justin Evans is a very physical and aggressive safety out of Texas A&M. He is a top five strong safety who is projected to get picked up in the third or fourth round. He has been compared to guys like Earl Thomas when it comes to explosiveness and coverage.

He demonstrates an outstanding ability to break up passes, and is one of the best at his position, racking up eight passes defensed in 2016. He has a great range, and shows the ability to move efficiently in deep coverage. He seems to do a great job when it comes to reading the quarterback, and possesses the athletic ability to make difficult plays that a lot of players couldn’t.

Tackling seems to be the downside of Evans, which is why he isn’t expected to get drafted until the middle of the draft. In two seasons, he had 38 missed tackles and was ranked 219th in tackling efficiency in 2016. Fortunately for Evans, poor tackling is an easy issue to fix with the right coaching. With a season or two learning behind guys like Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson, Evans could prove to be well worth the risk and a potential starter later down the road.

If Evans fall to the fourth or fifth round, he would be a great value option for not only the Jacksonville Jaguars, but any team who wants to roll the dice on him. With the right coaching and training, he could be an NFL starter in due time.

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