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Bucs DC Smith: Justin Evans a 'hybrid safety'

COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 12: Justin Evans #14 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs back a kick 90 yards to setup a score against the Mississippi Rebels at Kyle Field on November 12, 2016 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith said rookie S Justin Evans is what he calls a ‘hybrid' safety, one who can play free and strong (safety).”(Evans) is very athletic, and he's got very good range and can get down in the box.”

  • Evans was deployed all over the field for Texas A&M in 2016 but spent most of his time at free safety.
  • In 2016, Evans’ eight passes defended ranked second among FBS safeties.
  • Evans’ 90.2 coverage grade ranked third of all FBS safeties in 2016.
  • His most difficult transition to playing strong safety in the NFL will be his tackling. He missed 23 tackles in 2016 and ranked 316th out of 382 qualified safeties in tackle efficiency.

Justin Evans

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