Carolina Panthers: 3 trade targets from the Cincinnati Bengals
By Dean Jones
INSIDE LINEBACKER. . JORDANEVANS. 3. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 56
Carolina Panthers trade target: Jordan Evans (ILB)
The inside linebacker position is an area that still has some concern for the Carolina Panthers. They lost Luke Kuechly to retirement this offseason. And their hopes in 2020 will fall squarely on the shoulders of free-agent signing Tahir Whitehead.
Should they look to bring in another player to boost the depth chart, then Jordan Evans is an option worth considering. The player has shown some promises during an injury-hit career to date. And he represents an intriguing option that shouldn’t cost all that much to acquire.
Evans ended 2018 on the injured reserve list for the Cincinnati Bengals, which significantly derailed his development. The player was used sparingly last season as he worked his way to full fitness, appearing in 0.66 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Whether he can take a leap forward with extra strength in a troublesome ankle remains to be seen. He is expected to see more time within the rotation. But Evans’ hopes of starting ahead of Josh Bynes appear slim.
The former sixth-round pick is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and will make $825,000 in base salary next season. Evans’ future with the Bengals might be in doubt nest spring if he doesn’t perform. So getting something for the player might work in the Panthers’ favor if they choose to go in this direction.