Ethan Evans

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Salary-cap math on Ethan Evans's contract works out to a D+ Contract Value Index given the dead-cap exposure and term. Evans is a third-year specialist on a four-year, $987K AAV rookie deal—a below-market value for someone generating elite-level situational impact in real games. His 2025 season production, 1 tackle across 17 games, reads as replacement-level by traditional metrics, yet his media framing has shifted dramatically based on clutch execution: an NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in Week 11 and a coffin-corner punt against Seattle that pinned an opponent deep in their own territory in a high-leverage fourth-quarter moment. The disconnect between his D- performance grade and B-level sentiment reflects the reality of specialist evaluation—punting outcomes are often invisible in box-score volume but tangible in field position and game management, two areas where Evans has earned genuine recognition. At 24 years old with three seasons under his belt, Evans remains in a developmental window where elite situational play can reshape contract trajectory in his next negotiation, especially given the Rams' recent defensive acquisitions signal a competitive roster that values supporting pieces. For now, his rookie deal carries minimal cap risk and positions Los Angeles affordably while Evans builds his case for higher-tier compensation beyond 2026.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Ethan's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Tape review and box-score baselines converge on a D- performance grade for Ethan Evans. Despite the elite directional punting ability and exceptional hang-time control that media outlets have highlighted, his overall production this season has not met the threshold expected of a third-year specialist, placing him well below the standard for productive punters in the league. The 2025 season saw him record 1 tackle across 17 games—a depth-piece contribution that underscores limited defensive involvement on special teams, even as a coverage participant. His role remains that of a serviceable depth piece in high-leverage situations, where his coffin-corner precision and clutch fourth-quarter execution (as evidenced by the Seahawks highlight and Week 11 special teams award) have genuinely caught attention in the Rams' secondary weapon category. The disconnect between media sentiment, which frames him as a "superstud punter" with "meaningful momentum," and his D- performance grade reflects a classic specialist paradox: situational impact and highlight-reel moments can elevate a player's reputation well above his raw statistical floor. As the Rams enter the 2026 season with momentum in the division and an offensive roster being reinforced via trade, Evans's value hinges entirely on whether his directional prowess continues to translate into clutch moments that drive wins in tight games—a dimension performance grades alone cannot fully capture.

How Ethan Compares at the Position

Ethan Evans ranks 34th of 34 graded punters by performance. The nearest peer ahead is Corliss Waitman (D).

Peers ranked by Performance grade among players at the same position. Tap any name for their full profile.

Current Sentiment

Coverage volume around Ethan Evans produces a B sentiment grade in the current window. The narrative surrounding the third-year punter has shifted markedly in his favor, driven by a string of high-leverage performances that have earned him formal recognition—most notably an NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in Week 11—and a coffin-corner punt against Seattle that pinned an opponent deep in their own territory in a clutch fourth-quarter situation. Media framing has elevated Evans beyond the typical specialist archetype, positioning him as a "superstud punter" with elite directional ability and exceptional hang-time control, a characterization that reflects genuine tactical impact rather than empty hype. The disconnect between his rising profile and his on-field performance grade remains stark—his 2025 season production was minimal by traditional metrics—but in special teams football, situational excellence and clutch execution often outweigh volume statistics in shaping perception. The Rams' aggressive offseason moves on defense (acquiring Myles Garrett, signing multiple pass rushers) underscore a win-now posture that frames supporting players like Evans as pieces of a competitive roster, further burnishing his perceived value. Evans enters 2026 with genuine momentum and a meaningful role in conversation about Los Angeles's roster construction, a rarity for punters and a testament to how elite situational play can reshape a specialist's standing.