The Minnesota Vikings secondary will be one of the most integral positions on defense in 2024. The cornerback group has plenty of room for growth. Akayleb Evans continuing to show up with the top unit is a good development.
Minnesota Vikings giving Akayleb Evans lots of run
This offseason additions at the cornerback position have been sparse for the Minnesota Vikings. Tragedy took 2024 draft pick Khyree Jackson. Shaq Griffin signed as a veteran free agent. Fabian Moreau recently signed as a training camp addition. Internally, Akayleb Evans seems to be getting plenty of run. ESPN Staff Writer Kevin Seifert has seen plenty of the former fourth round pick.
“ Meanwhile, 2023 starter Akayleb Evans , who opened camp as a reserve after being benched twice last season, has been a fixture with the first-team defense alongside Byron Murphy Jr . “
Kevin Seifert on Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores also offered a sentiment saying that, “we’re going to need him.”
There have been conflicting reports regarding the performance or viability of Evans during training camp. The first depth chart has Griffin starting alongside Murphy Jr. with Evans listed as a backup. Minnesota would certainly love to seem someone from a depth spot step up and challenge their starters.
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Akayleb Evans will need to regain starting role for Minnesota Vikings
Nothing is guaranteed for Evans this season. Evans started 15 games last season for Minnesota. He played on 85% of the defensive snaps. Those numbers are certain to tumble with the addition of Griffin on the outside. Evans didn’t see a special teams snap after participating in 93% of them as a rookie. Evans could by working his way back through special teams.
There have certainly been times where Evans has looked the part. He had an interception last season, and recorded seven passes defensed. His 65 tackles were impressive, and calling him a starting corner at his best wasn’t a stretch. The problem was that Evans at his worst looked lost or unengaged. Flores will expect Evans to show up on a weekly basis, and he won’t be given leeway to underperform in his third professional season.
Related: Report: Minnesota Vikings Planning Splash Move at Cornerback
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