Raiders 2018 NFL Draft: 5 potential first-round picks

During his time at Alabama, Rashaan Evans had to wait his turn to become one of the top players on the defense. Playing behind first rounder Reuben Foster, Evans got to see how an elite college linebacker goes about his business.

The inside linebacker position in Guenther’s system has a lot of responsibility, and it is an area that needs to be a strength next season. Evans became one of the best linebackers in college football last season, and would be the kind of player who could come in and make a serious impact in year one.

Of course, this pick only happens if Roquan Smith is off the board, as he is likely the team’s top linebacker target. If he does happen to go before the ninth, or tenth pick, Evans would be a nice guy to fall back on, as he has tremendous size and speed.

Guenther loves to rush four, so that means the linebacking group has to be solid. Even if the team does bring back Bowman, there is not enough meat on the bone for this unit to succeed with the way he likes to run his defenses.

Evans is going to an elite player at the next level, and he has the kind of motor you look for in a linebacker. The hope is that Smith will still be available when the Raiders pick, but his stock is picking up steam, so Evans may be the best choice when the commissioner goes to the podium.