End of an Era for One Young Viking
Not long ago, Akayleb Evans served as one of the young solutions to a seemingly everlasting cornerback malady for the Minnesota Vikings.
End of an Era for One Young Viking
But 2.5 years after Minnesota welcomed Evans to the franchise from Round 4 of the 2022 NFL Draft, Evans is looking for a job, waived by the Vikings on Saturday.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Vikings are waiving CB Akayleb Evans, per me and Mike Garafolo, a bit of a surprise for the 2022 draft pick who has 17 starts and plays special teams. With a major roster crunch, Minnesota makes a tough cut.”
The Vikings activated tight end Nick Muse before Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears, and Evans was apparently the 53rd man on the 53-man roster.
It’s worth noting that Minnesota could still re-sign Evans to the practice squad sometime this week. Stay tuned.
These are the Vikings’ cornerbacks without Evans:
- Stephon Gilmore
- Byron Murphy
- Shaquill Griffin
- Mekhi Blackmon (IR)
- Fabian Moreau
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson (IR)
- Nahshon Wright (Practice Squad)
Minnesota’s defense ranks first in the NFL per EPA/Play through 12 weeks, so the enterprise has not floundered with Evans on the sideline. He played just three defensive snaps in 2024 and saw the field for 83 special teams transactions.
The 25-year-old notably started 15 games for the Vikings in 2023, meaning his waiver isn’t some unknown player looking for the exit sign. Not long ago, many theorized Evans as a long-term solution at cornerback. No cigar.
Evans produced a poor 54.9 Pro Football Focus Grade last season, along with a 120.4 passer-rating-against. When Minnesota signed Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore during the offseason, that turned out to be the nail in the coffin of Evans’ purple employment.
He will land on his feet, though. There is room in the NFL for a 25-year-old cornerback, especially one who looked quite promising as a rookie. Evans entered a game in 2022 against the Washington Commanders and immediately made an impact. He continued to show flashes of promise that season, but a regression soon hit in 2023.
This 2022 Vikings draft class is a frequent source of criticism — and for good reason:
- S Lewis Cine (Cut)
- CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Traded)
- OG Ed Ingram (RG2)
- LB Brian Asamoah (Special Teams)
- CB Akayleb Evans (Cut)
- DL Esezi Otomewo (Cut)
- Ty Chandler (RB3)
- OT Vederian Lowe (Traded)
- WR Jalen Nailor (WR3)
- TE Nick Muse (TE4)
The Vikings next play the Arizona Cardinals at home on Sunday and are favored to win by three or four points.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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