NFL Combine 2017: Jerod Evans “wouldn’t mind” learning from Eli Manning

The New York Giants could be looking for a quarterback in the middle rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft, a player they would hope to develop as Eli Manning winds toward the end of his time as the team’s franchise quarterback.

One player who could be under consideration if Jerod Evans of Virginia Tech. Evans, who said he has met with all 32 NFL teams, wouldn’t mind the job of being Manning’s understudy.

“I wouldn’t mind coming into the league and learning from a veteran at all. Learning form a guy of that magnitude and who has two Super Bowl rings and knows a lot about the game, it doesn’t hurt me to sit behind a guy like that,” Evans said. “I think Aaron Rodgers did the same thing with Brett Favre so it wouldn’t bother me.”

Evans declared for the draft despite having a year of collegiate eligibility left, and despite many analysts believing the 6-foot-3, 232-pounder could have benefited from another year of college.

He had no doubt he made the right choice.

“Me making that decision to leave was definitely not a rash decision. I never make rash decisions. It’s not in my nature. I’m very particular in what I do. I calculate every move I make, make no mistake about that. My dad is my consultant — he don’t make my decisions; I make my decisions because I’m a man, but I consulted with him on a lot of things ever since I left the Air Force Academy,” Evan said. “That was a big decision, leaving something that is certain for something uncertain. I went to Trinity Valley where I was not on scholarship; I was a walk-on. So that decision, then me going to Virginia Tech over the 20-30 schools I had, I prayed on that. So this is not my first big decision; this is the first big decision that y’all been keeping track of. It was definitely not rash; I just felt confident and comfortable and calm and ready with it.”

Walter Football said of Evans:

“Evans has a good skill set with size and athleticism, but coming from a college system and his lack of experience, he is going to need some development for the NFL. Team sources have said they have graded Evans as a sixth- or seventh-rounder.”

Will the Giants be the team that takes the chance they could develop Evans into a capable NFL quarterback?