The Dallas Cowboys are looking to add depth to their thin linebacker room and are expected to with a veteran player. The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Cowboys are expected to sign LB Rashaan Evans pending a physical.
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Who Is Rashaan Evans?
Cowboys are expected to sign LB Rashaan Evans following today’s workout, a person with knowledge of the situation said. Roster move is pending a physical.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 11, 2023
With veterans Leighton Vander Esch and C.J. Goodwin projected to be placed on injured reserve (IR), the defense and special-teams units need extra depth.
Evans was a first-round draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft selected by the Tennessee Titans. In 2022, the Atlanta Falcons signed him to a one-year deal, and earlier this year, he was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad but was released a few days later.
The inside linebacker has 476 combined total tackles, five sacks, and two interceptions.
He will be right up Dan Quinn’s alley for what is needed in Vander Esch’s absence. Evans can bring veteran leadership, versatility, and expertise in tackling, which the defense has emphasized this season.
Evans did play special teams during his time at the University of Alabama. So he could help fill the gunner position that is needed with Goodwin being out for the season.
Other LB Visits to The Star
According to multiple reports, the Cowboys have brought a handful of linebackers to The Star for visits. Some other names included in the visits were Brandon Smith, Tanner Vallejo, and Jordan Evans.
Brandon Smith
Smith was a fourth-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. In 2022, he played 12 games with eight combined total tackles. The 22-year-old was waived from the Panthers in August.
Tanner Vallejo
Vallejo was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. In 2018, the Cleveland Browns picked up Vallejo off of waivers, and he played for 13 games before being placed on IR.
MORE: NFL Defense Rankings 2023
He had short stints with Arizona and Washington in 2019 before returning to the Cardinals. In 2019, Evans was on the Cardinals’ practice squad but was later elevated to the active roster that season.
He was eventually released by Arizona and picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 for a short time before being released in August.
Vallejo has 114 combined total tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Jordan Evans
Evans was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati initially signed him on a four-year deal that would be extended into the 2021 season. However, the linebacker was eventually placed on IR for a torn ACL in Week 5 that season.
During his time in the NFL, Evans has 127 combined total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
But in 2022, Evans was drafted by the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. He never played a game with the Sea Dragons, though, and was placed on the team’s reserve list in April.