Fred

Evans

A rotational lineman, Evans appeared in all 16 games last season, making 22 tackles off the bench and contributing some on special teams. The six-year veteran will compete for playing time with Christian Ballard and Letroy Guion. Evans’ return may be a sign that Remi Ayodele will ultimately be released.

“The coaches keep telling me that, hey, we need to give Fred a shot to compete for the No. 1 job,” said Leslie Frazier. At nose tackle -- a run-stopping position -- 6-foot-4, 305-pound Evans would give Minnesota a stouter option after its run defense became a liability down the stretch last season. Guion is a converted three-technique gap shooter. His base salary is $2.45 million.

With Kevin Williams and Sharrif Floyd swapping reps at the three-technique, coach Leslie Frazier said that nose tackle is Guion and Evans’ job to lose. While Guion was the starter last season, Pro Football Focus graded Evans as the superior player. Both received reps in the first-team base defense during OTAs.

The case will likely be taken to the state Court of Appeals. From there, the losing party could appeal to the state Supreme Court. The Williamses will ask to be able to play during the appeal process as they continue to argue that the NFL didn’t allow them to explain their use of StarCaps. If the Williams Wall does end up missing four games, it’s a big blow to the Vikings. Jimmy Kennedy and Fred Evans would be thrust into major roles.

The career reserve returns for an eighth season in Minnesota. Evans is currently atop the Vikings’ depth chart at nose tackle, but is unlikely to stay there. Evans played 356 snaps a season. He’s a pure run stopper.

He needed to be tasered by police. It’s a tough break for Evans, who Miami had been relying on to play a major role on defense this season. The seventh-round pick from a season ago may now risk not making the club.

Evans received two years of probation on his felony charges, with jail time possible if he violates his probation. The current charges, meanwhile, violated a previous probation on a marijuana charge in Texas, where he must now appear on a misdemeanor charge. The important thing to take from this is that Fred Evans is bound to face at a league suspension for his personal conduct.

Evans should have a decent shot at getting back into the league if he can steer clear of a conviction. The Texas State product was cut by Miami in June.

Rodrique is Rodrique Wright, a projected second-round pick in 2006 who fell to the seventh round due to a torn rotator cuff. Both players will be key reserves this season and either could push Matt Roth for his starting gig.

This was Evans’ second offseason arrest. He was charged with marijuana possession in Colorado County (TX) in February, and risks complicating that matter after being accused of battery, disorderly conduct, resisting, and trespassing in Florida. Evans could face disciplinary action from the league.