After three seasons with the team, the Minnesota Vikings decided to cut cornerback Akayleb Evans ahead of their Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Missouri product began his career in unremarkable fashion, appearing in 10 games as a rookie while recording 23 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and two passes defended. However, he earned a starting job in 2023, recording one interception, seven passes defended, three forced fumbles, 65 tackles, and a 54.9 PFF grade in 15 starts.
Evans didn’t make the most of his opportunity in 2023, and the veteran additions of Stefon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin sent him to the bench. With the influx of starting-caliber talent, Akayleb Evans spent most of the season on special teams before the Vikings cut the defensive back. While he’s nobody’s idea of a full-time starter, the Missouri product can contribute on special teams and could be useful as a depth option on a weaker secondary. While anyone could claim him, the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints are the most likely destinations.
The #Vikings are waiving CB Akayleb Evans, per me and @MikeGarafolo, 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. pic.twitter.com/9Ag7imbvEw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 23, 2024
Chiefs, Saints Could Claim Akayleb Evans After Unceremonious Cut
The Kansas City Chiefs control their playoff destiny. At 9-1, the reigning Super Bowl champions are in the driver’s seat for the AFC’s lone bye week and remain one of the top teams in the league. However, this roster is not perfect and the team could use more help at cornerback. Entering the trade deadline, Kansas City needed help at wide receiver, edge defender, offensive tackle, and cornerback. The team found answers in DeAndre Hopkins, Josh Uche, and D.J. Humphries, respectively, so now they must find a cornerback.
While free agent Xavien Howard is tempting, Akayleb Evans should be ready to go after being cut. Trent McDuffie remains one of the game’s elite cornerbacks, but the CB2 position is a major liability. With fourth-round pick Jaylen Watson unlikely to return in 2024, someone must step up on the opposite side of the field. That someone could be Evans, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows how to get the best out of his players. Nobody will confuse him with the 2023 version of L’Jarius Sneed, but Evans could provide some much-needed depth to an injury-plagued roster.
Saints Holding Out Hope
At 4-7, the New Orleans Saints playoff hopes are barely alive. While they could still come out on top of the weak NFC South, another loss will effectively end their season. The team traded lost cornerback Paulson Adebo to injury and traded Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline, creating a massive hole at the cornerback position. Rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry is putting together a fine debut season, but he can’t cover the entire field by himself.
The Saints are 2-0 since firing former head coach Dennis Allen, and interim head coach Darren Rizzi will want to make his bid for the full-time job. The Saints like to hire and develop from within, and bringing this team to the playoffs could result in a long-term job offer. Akayleb Evans won’t singlehandedly bring this team to a championship, but the recently cut defensive back could add depth to the defense and solidify an inconsistent special teams unit.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
