Packers Sign RG Jahri Evans
The Packers have signed guard Jahri Evans. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport first broke the news.
Evans is a six time Pro Bowl guard, most recently in 2014. In his eleven NFL seasons, he has been named an All-Pro four times.
What the signing means
Jahri Evans is now the prohibitive favorite to start for the Packers at right guard, a possibility we first mentioned in March. At the time, we noted that Evans was one of Pro Football Focus’s top 20 pass protecting guards, considerably higher than any other interior lineman currently on the Packers roster.
Evans will be 34 before the start of next season, but he’s been durable and relatively productive, missing just seven games in more than a decade in the NFL. Even if his play does slip some, he should at least be a competent starter.
It’s likely that Evans is also going to be quite affordable. His last two one year deals with the Saints paid him around $1 million, and he’ll likely see something similar in Green Bay.
Evans signing affects the draft
The Packers were thought to be a possible landing spot for Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp in the first round. Assuming he fell to the 29th pick, Lamp would have been a plug-and-play option at right guard, effectively replacing T.J. Lang up front.
By signing Evans, the Packers have more or less officially taken themselves out of the running for an offensive lineman in the first round. Stranger things have happened, but it would be unusual to say to the least for the Packers to draft a lineman now.
Packers had the chance to pick Evans
Evans was actually drafted not long after the Packers were on the clock in 2006. The Packers drafted TCU wide receiver Cory Rodgers in the fourth round that year with the 104th overall pick. Evans went off the board to New Orleans with pick number 108.