NFL.com on Darrynton Evans "This is a deep draft for running backs... just hold tight "

[www.nfl.com]
DARRYNTON EVANS

Prospect Info

COLLEGE
Appalachian State

HOMETOWN
Oak Hill, FL

CLASS
r-Junior
HEIGHT
5' 10"

WEIGHT
203 lbs

ARMS
31 5/8”

HANDS
9 1/4”

Prospect Grade
6.13 GOOD BACKUP WHO COULD BECOME STARTER

Combine Results
u-unofficial
40 Yard Dash
4.41 SECONDS

Bench Press
20 REPS

Vertical Jump
37.0 INCHES

Broad Jump
125.0 INCHES

Darrynton Evans runs official 4.41 second 40-yard dash at 2020 combine
COMBINE


Player Bio
Like many Appalachian State players before him, Evans has outplayed his two-star recruiting ranking. He was named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after ranking in the top 10 nationally with 1,480 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 255 carries (5.8 per). He also caught 21 passes for 198 yards and five scores in 14 starts. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the SBC Championship Game and New Orleans Bowl. Evans was a first-team all-conference pick as a sophomore, as well, starting eight of 13 games played and racking up 1,187 rushing yards (179 carries, 6.6 per, seven TDs; also 12-87-7.2, one TD receiving). The Oak Hill, Florida, native contributed on offense as a freshman (48-217-4.5) and then had to redshirt the 2017 season due to a knee injury. Evans was a strong kickoff returner during his career (56-1,439-25.7 in three years), housing one return for a touchdown each season.


Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst

NFL Comparison
Ronald Jones

Overview
Slashing outside-zone runner with glide in his stride and ability to run with elusiveness and creativity. Evans is a little undersized and might be viewed as a change-of-pace option, but he appears to have the three-down skill set to handle committee carries. He can run with patience, but has the loose hips and agile feet to plant-and-go in a hurry. He sees the field and does a nice job of setting up and eluding tacklers with lateral cuts or stacked moves. While he's confident in space, Evans lacks the commitment and finishing force to make a living inside the tackles. His third-down and kick-return versatility increases the likelihood that Evans will hear his name called in the middle rounds with a chance to become a solid RB2.

Strengths
Grabbed larger chunks of production pie in both 2018 and 2019
Has talent as one-cut back in outside zone
Runs low and smooth with plus change of direction quickness
Rare ball security with no fumbles in 482 carries
Hips are fluid and loose for short-area swivel
Takes away tackle angles once he's past second level
Patient runner who sets up open-field tacklers, leaving their feet in mud
Sneaky leak out on screens with quick run after the catch
Proven effective as kick returner
Aggressive lead shoulder on blitz pickup and chip blocks

Weaknesses
Lacking determination as inside runner
Decelerates and tucks into interior contact
Needs better recognition to find cutbacks
A little inconsistent navigating run lanes at times
Elusive but not a strong tackle breaker
Needs to speed up his process as route runner
Smallish for blitz take-on duties and could give way
Sources Tell Us

"This is a deep draft for running backs. He's one of those guys you can fall in love with and just hold tight to take running back until it's time to take him." -- Personnel executive for NFC team




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2020 06:45PM by Rams Junkie.