Saints adding defensive end Charlton, defensive back Evans

Updated Apr. 4, 2022 10:26 p.m. ET

Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have agreed to free-agent contracts with defensive end Taco Charlton and defensive back Justin Evans, general manager Mickey Loomis said Monday.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Charlton played for Pittsburgh last season, appearing in 11 games with one start. He had half a sack among 18 tackles.

Charlton is a former first-round draft choice out of Michigan, selected 28th overall by Dallas in 2017. He played just two seasons for the Cowboys, followed by a season each for Miami, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

He has 12 tackles for losses, 11 1/2 sacks, three passes defensed, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 55 career games.

He joins a position group that already includes starters Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport, as well as 2021 first-round draft choice Payton Turner.

The 6-foot, 199-pound Evans started 21 games in his first two NFL seasons with Tampa Bay before an Achilles injury that wiped out his 2019 season. He was released in 2020 and has not played an NFL game since.

Tampa Bay selected the former Texas A&M standout in the second round of the 2017 draft.

He has four interceptions, eight passes defensed, one 34-yard fumble return for a touchdown and one special teams stop in 24 career games.

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