Chris Evans 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 211 pounds
School: University of Michigan
Chris Evans 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Born on October 5, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Chris Evans attended Ben Davis High School. In his sophomore year, he had 99 carries for 530 yards with seven touchdowns. Additionally, Evans had 37 receptions for 440 yards with five touchdowns and one kickoff return of three yards. During his junior year, Evans had 185 carries for 1,249 yards with 18 touchdowns and 51 receptions for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his senior year, Evans had 188 carries for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 40 receptions for 511 yards with four touchdowns. He also handled punt and kickoff return duties while at Michigan. Evans was also a successful long jumper and track athlete in high school. He ran the 100-meter dash in 10.9 seconds and the 110m hurdles in 14.28 seconds. He also managed a 25’1″ jump in his senior year.
Rivals.com ranked Evans as a three-star prospect as well as the 32nd best running back in the U.S and the seventh-best prospect in Indiana. ESPN ranked him as a three-star prospect but had him as the eighth-best Indiana prospect. Scout.com ranked him as a four-star prospect, the 11th best running back in the U.S, and the fourth-best running back in Indiana. PrepStar Magazine ranked him a three-star prospect and gave him an All-Midwest Region nomination. Evans was recruited to the University of Michigan by Jim Harbaugh.
As a college freshman, Evans had 88 carries for 614 yards with four touchdowns. He also had six receptions of 87 yards. The following year, Evans had 135 carries for 685 yards with six touchdowns. Additionally, he had 16 receptions for 157 yards with one touchdown. He was an honorable mention as an All-Big Ten honoree. Also, he was a Big Ten co-Offensive Player of the Week with running back teammate Karan Higdon. In his junior season, Evans had 81 carries of 423 yards with four touchdowns. He also had 18 receptions of 148 yards with one touchdown. Evans was suspended for the 2019 season due to academic issues. As a fifth-year senior, Evans completed 16 carries of 73 yards with one touchdown. Additionally, he had nine receptions of 87 yards.
During his Pro Day, Evans completed 20 reps on the 225 pound bench, had a 40.5 vertical jump, and a 10’7 broad jump. Additionally, he completed the 40-dash in 4.44, the 3-Cone Drill in 6.56, and the 5-10-5 Shuttle in 4.14.
Strengths
- Very good receiver
- Physical and punishes defenders with his running style
- Patient runner who looks for openings
- Good frame and balance
- Good lateral movement to change direction
Weaknesses
- Lost a year in college due to academic suspension and was only used sparingly in 2020
- Production steadily declined
- Lacks speed to separate from defenders
- One of the oldest running backs in the draft
- Had five fumbles on 320 carries
Teams With Need At Position: Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons
Projection: Fifth round
Bottom Line on Chris Evans
Evans is a powerful, explosive running back who has a lot of enticing qualities. His dual ability as a receiver gives him the versatility to be used in multiple situations. The downside is his lost 2019 year and his lack of usage in 2020. It is possible that Evans may have already reached his ceiling. But a team may take a chance on him in the later rounds as a possible boom or bust type prospect.
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