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2018 NFL Draft: Top 10 LBs New York Giants should target

By Henry Buggy

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to winning the game MVP trophy after beating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts to winning the game MVP trophy after beating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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#2 – Alabama LB Rashaan Evans

TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 21: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 21: Rashaan Evans #32 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tackles Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Alabama has a history of developing future franchise linebackers under Nick Saban. Reggie Ragland was the 41st overall pick in the 2016 draft, and the San Francisco 49ers traded up in the first-round of last year’s draft to snag Reuben Foster with the 31st overall pick.

Foster earned Pro Football Focus’ highest grade of any 49er in his rookie season, and multiple NFL teams would likely love to add Evans to their roster this upcoming April.

The Crimson Tide’s 6-foot-3, 234-pound linebacker recorded 74 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, six sacks, and one forced fumble in his senior season. He also played a key role in Alabama’s National Championship run, racking up 17 tackles and a sack in the College Football Playoff.

Miller has the Buffalo Bills selecting Evans in the first-round of his mock draft and writes that he “has the football IQ, athleticism and instincts to be a game-changer on defense.”

Evans could be an ideal fit for Big Blue at middle linebacker and would immediately improve New York’s 27th ranked rush defense. Evans may not be available at the start of the second-round, but trading up to select him at the end of the first-round may not be a bad idea. Just ask the 49ers how they feel about that decision.

Of course, Evans is not Foster, but he sure looks like Bama’s next NFL franchise linebacker.

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