Mitchell Evans | Notre Dame 6’5” 258 lbs. 03/18/2003 (22)
Mitchell Evans was drafted 163rd overall by the Carolina Panthers, becoming the eighth tight end and 163rd overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games Played | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Catch | TDs |
| 2021 (FR) | 13 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 |
| 2022 (SO) | 8 | 3 | 39 | 13.0 | 1 |
| 2023 (JR) | 8 | 29 | 422 | 14.6 | 1 |
| 2024 (SR) | 16 | 43 | 421 | 9.8 | 3 |
Evans played both tight end and quarterback in high school. He entered South Bend’s prolific program as a three-star recruit. He served as a reserve during his first two seasons, playing behind Michael Mayer. He contributed a lot more during his junior season, hauling in 29 receptions for 422 receiving yards and one touchdown in eight games. He suffered a season-ending injury (torn ACL) during Notre Dame’s eighth game of the season. He recovered quickly and played in every game during his senior season, hauling in 43 receptions for 421 yards and three touchdowns.
FILM
STRENGTHS
Great acceleration and burst for a tight end. Willing to get handsy and play rough against physical defenders. Dynamic pass-catcher when called upon in tight window situations. Natural hands and shows impressive body control when high-pointing the pass over defenders. Reliable against zone coverages and finds the soft spots more often than not. Versatile receiver who can line up inside or outside. Terrific blocker who uses ideal hand placement. Shows great abilities to seal the outside against edge rushers during run blocking schemes.
WEAKNESSES
Struggles to separate from press coverage. Tight hips and doesn’t show crafty route-running capabilities. Needs to improve his footwork as a route runner. Not a YAC guy, who struggles to break off tackles. Tends to struggle blocking speedy defenders in the open space at the second level. Significant injury history, as he missed time with a torn ACL.
ATHLETIC TESTING
At the NFL combine, Evans measured in at 6’5” and 258 lbs, which equates to a BMI of 26.9. He ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash (47th percentile), equating to a 99.6 speed score (63rd percentile). Evans also displayed a burst score of 117.6 (53rd percentile), an 11.52 agility score (59th percentile), and a college dominator score of 15 percent (42nd percentile).
Evans shows decent speed for his size and frame. His 4.78-second 40-yard dash was the eighth fastest amongst 14 tight end participants at the combine. He shows elite burst and acceleration, as his 1.55-second 10-yard split was tied for the fastest amongst tight ends at the combine. He also posted a solid 4.40-second 20-yard shuttle (tied for fourth). His biggest red flag is his leaping ability, as his 31” vertical was tied for the second-worst in his position group out of 15 tight ends. He also struggled with a 9’7” broad jump (tied for 11th).
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Good
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Good
Evans was selected with the 163rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
He joins fellow Notre Dame alumn, Tommy Tremble, in Carolina’s tight end room that also features Ja’Tavion Sanders. Evans wasn’t drafted to serve as this team’s TE1, but it’s not like Tremble and Sanders have proven much in their pro careers. The assumption is that Sanders will take the next step, but that’s not a given. Evans has a legitimate shot at serving as the team’s TE2, and it’s not crazy to think he could push Sanders for that starting role if Sanders underperforms.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Evans received a fifth-round grade from me before the draft, and I had him as the 7th-ranked tight end.
In your rookie drafts, Evans is a third-round pick at best. Although he could climb the depth chart in Carolina, there isn’t much evidence to show that will be the case. For now, assume Evans is going to battle Tremble for the TE2 role. If you want to take a chance on Evans in the third round, it doesn’t hurt to. He’s worthy of a taxi squad stash in case he turns into a starting-caliber tight end.
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