Randall Evans to Philadelphia Eagles: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

After selecting cornerback JaCorey Shepherd with his first of two sixth-round picks, the assumption was that Eagles head coach Chip Kelly would look to improve the depth on the team's offensive line. After all, the Eagles missed out on drafting a single offensive lineman in 2014. In fact, they hadn't drafted an offensive lineman since Lane Johnson was selected fourth overall in 2013. That's 18 straight picks, and the streak reached 19 when the Eagles grabbed Kansas State cornerback Randall Evans with their second sixth-round pick. 

Double-dipping on cornerbacks in the sixth round is a bold strategy by Kelly, but it makes sense considering the weaknesses in the team's pass defense in 2014. After all, the Eagles allowed 30 touchdown passes. They were repeatedly torched by quarterbacks, even no-namers such as Austin Davis and Zach Mettenberger. Things reached their nadir in a Week 15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, who defeated the Eagles 38-27 on Sunday Night Football on the back of Dez Bryant burning Bradley Fletcher for three touchdown receptions. 

But Fletcher, along with cornerback Cary Williams and safety Nate Allen, is gone. Clearly, the Eagles are looking to start over in their defensive backfield. They added former Seattle Seahawks Legion of Boom member Byron Maxwell, inking the 27-year-old to a six-year, $63 million deal. They also brought in veteran slot cornerback Walter Thurmond III. After drafting Utah cornerback/safety Eric Rowe, the Eagles could potentially have three new starters in their secondary. 

In Evans, their second sixth-round pick, the Eagles have a player who played all four seasons at defensive back at Kansas State and started his final three years. He collected 210 tackles, seven interceptions and two sacks during his career.

In his final season at Kansas State, he recorded four interceptions. He also defensed 29 passes during his career, an impressive total for a player who joined his college team as a walk-on. He's not especially physical, but he's a solid tackler and won't be a liability in run defense. In other words, this isn't Brian Dawkins in tackling, but it's certainly not Asante Samuel. 

"

Randall Evans doesn't lack for confidence. #Eagles fans are gonna love him.

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) May 2, 2015"

At 6'0" and 190 pounds, Evans has the ability to play inside and outside. He's versatile, solid in coverage and boasted 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

"

Could see the #Eagles liking Randall Evans as a safety. Versatile. 6-0, 190. And, yes, repeat after me, of high character.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 2, 2015"

The Eagles are loaded with bodies in the secondary. Now the fun begins. Though the Eagles do have one more pick in the draft, it's extremely unlikely they select a fourth defensive back. 

Only three Eagles defensive backs are guaranteed to play a major role on the 2015 squad: Maxwell, starting safety Malcolm Jenkins and Rowe. The rest of the names, from Earl Wolff to Jerome Couplin to Brandon Boykin to Jaylen Watkins to Shepherd to Evans, are full of players who will spend training camp fighting for playing time in defensive coordinator Billy Davis' defense. 

Like Shepherd, it's impossible to know what type of role Evans will play on the 2015 team. The feeling is that the Eagles like Shepherd more at cornerback, where he could compete for a role in the slot, especially if Boykin leaves, while Evans is a hybrid defensive back who may make the move to safety.