Both Evans and Matthews were selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Matthews was the sixth pick and Evans went one pick later, seventh overall. Each has done enough in their first few seasons to earn at least one more year with their respective teams, likely before what they hope will be a lucrative second contract in 2018.
Matthews was a starting tackle on Matt Ryan‘s offensive line that won the NFC Championship before falling in dramatic fashion to the Patriots in Super Bowl 51. Ryan had one of his best seasons of his career in 2016, thanks in large part to superb protection up front.