A few years ago, Evans was an All-Pro and arguably the best guard in the NFL. He's not that player anymore, but he can still play and he started all 16 games last season for the Saints. Every other free agent guard ranked higher than Evans who actually made the rounds in unrestricted free agency signed a big multi-year contract, making Evans the best of the rest. Also, Seahawks GM John Schneider openly admitted he blew it by releasing Evans in 2016 because he's such a great leader, which should make him a great fit in the Packers' locker room. This looks like a solid signing because he's a veteran leader who's coming to Green Bay to win a championship, he can still play, and he probably signed an affordable one-year deal for around $1 million."It’s about winning championships.”— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 26, 2017
Jahri Evans sees big opportunity on #Packers offensive line 📰: https://t.co/uGQEtQltCl pic.twitter.com/bnbn2MFlMb
This allows them to move Don Barclay to a backup role at center and guard, with Jason Spriggs as their backup tackle. They also have Kyle Murphy and Lucas Patrick around as young-players-with-upside. Evans is a solid signing and he addresses an obvious weakness, leaving them little room or need to spend a high draft pick on an offensive lineman, though I wouldn't rule out them selecting one in the mid-rounds because they can certainly find an upgrade over Barclay, Murphy or Patrick.
As for who they'll draft now, Justis Mosqueda pointed out 5 cornerbacks with potential 1st round grades who could all be available by the time the Packers are on the clock in round one. I don't know which of them would be the best fit, but cornerback is such a position of need that if they selected any one of them, I'd say it's a great selection and expect that they took the best of the bunch.
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