There are 68 days left until the New Orleans Saints start their 2024 regular season, which means the current owner of the No. 68 jersey is our Saints Player of the Day. That’s Mark Evans II, a second-year pro from Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The young offensive lineman must take a big step forward in Year 2 if he’s going to avoid being lost in the shuffle. Let’s get to know him better:
- Name (Age): Mark Evans II (24)
- Position: Offensive tackle/guard
- Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 295 pounds
- Relative Athletic Score: 3.62
- 2024 salary cap hit: $795,000
- College: Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Drafted: Undrafted in 2023 (New Orleans Saints)
- NFL experience: 1 year
Evans received more guarantees in his rookie contract last year ($241,000) than any other undrafted free agent in the Saints’ 2023 or 2024 classes, including this year’s much-hyped tight end Dallin Holker ($235,000). He was asked to move inside after playing left tackle in college and tried out at both guard spots during the 2023 preseason, logging 31 snaps at right guard and 54 on the left side.
While he was waived during final roster cuts at the end of August, the Saints did initially re-sign Evans to their practice squad, only to waive him again on Sept. 4. He tried out for the Houston Texans on Sept. 12 and returned to New Orleans on Sept. 27. He was never called up from the practice squad for a regular season game, and it remains to be seen how the new offensive coaching staff feels about him. He didn’t participate in team drills at OTAs or minicamp while rehabbing an undisclosed injury.
So he needs to show a lot to make the cut this season. Whether he’s staying at guard or returning to tackle, Evans must do a better job protecting his quarterback and reaching his marks on the run. There’s room on the depth chart for another young backup but he’ll need to prove he’s a better option for that role than someone like Josiah Ezirim (this year’s seventh-round pick), Nouri Nouili or Kyle Hergel (both undrafted rookies). As is the case for many linemen, we won’t have a great idea about his improvement until padded practices begin during training camp.
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