Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans turned 23 years old and signed his rookie contract all in the same day on Wednesday.
There were never any serious concerns over a deal eventually getting done with the fourth-round pick out of the University of Missouri. If anything, it should only add confidence to the team eventually coming to an agreement with Andrew Booth Jr. and Ed Ingram as well.
With Evans signing his contract, the two second-round picks are the last remaining unsigned rookie draft picks.
Even for a rookie, contracts can take some time for both sides to completely agree to all of the language within it. Evans was able to hammer out a deal with the Vikings, and hopefully, the others will be able to do the same at some point.
Made it official!!! #Skol pic.twitter.com/gF7NZCFqiu
— Akayleb Evans (@AkaylebEvans) June 22, 2022
Evans has the size and physical makeup of a defensive back capable of matching up outside. All of the physical attributes are there for him to be an annoying presence against opposing receivers.
But he’ll have to shore up some of the technical holes in his game. The good news is there’s no rush for him to improve as a player. Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler already top the depth chart.
So this could be more of a learning year to help Evans realize his full potential.
“I’m physical, I always give effort every play,” Evans told Vikings.com’s Tatum Everett back in May. “I always finish to the ground. I have certain things you can’t teach—length, speed for my length and the ability to move at my size. So those are all of the things that [the coaches] like about me.”
