Zach Evans NFL Draft Overview
Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 202lbs.
School: Ole Miss
2023 NFL Draft: Zach Evans Scouting Report
After experiencing a breakout season at Ole Miss during the 2022 season, running back Zach Evans is making his way to the pros. The former five-star recruit is coming off of a career year, rushing for 936 yards on 144 carries, including nine for touchdowns. He tore up countless defenses in his 12 games played, including stout Auburn and Arkansas fronts. All to hopefully hear his name called among the first running backs in the 2023 NFL Draft.
A five-star recruit in the class of 2020 out of North Shore High School, Evans committed to TCU despite offers from countless SEC and Big Ten programs. As the 16th-rated player in the 2020 ESPN300 recruiting premiere, Evans went to the Big 12 with immediate expectations. As a freshman, he exploded onto the scene with 415 yards rushing and a jaw-dropping 7.7 average yards per carry in nine games.
In 2021, injuries began haunting Zach Evans, as he was held to just six games played. Nevertheless, he posted numbers, averaging seven yards per carry on his way to 648 yards rushing. Following his sophomore season, Zach Evans transferred to Ole Miss, citing his desire to play in the SEC as the reason behind his decision.
Strengths
- Pro-ready size and frame for a running back
- Explosive burst through the line with average home run speed at the second level
- Physical rushing style with excellent balance
- Will gain extra yards with power, not afraid to use strength
- Efficient north-south runner
Weaknesses
- Underwhelming lateral movement five+ yards beyond the line of scrimmage
- Lack of production in the receiving game out of the backfield
- Pass protection must improve, processing must speed up
- Not the most elusive when in open space downfield
- Notable fumble rate in college
NFL Comparison: Slightly smaller Melvin Gordon
Teams With Need at Position: New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals
Projection: Third-to-Fourth Round
Bottom Line on Zach Evans:
No, Zach Evans is not on the level of fellow prospects Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, who are likely the first two running backs off the board during the 2023 NFL Draft. Rather, Zach Evans has the skills necessary to be looked back on as a mid-round steal. With his combination of size, strength, and north-south speed as a rusher, he can quickly become the lead back in an NFL offense. That is though, assuming the durability issues faced in college do not plague him in the pros.
The fact he strained his hamstring prior to the combine certainly hurt his stock, in the sense he could not show off his athleticism to scouts. Regardless, there is enough on tape to understand the type of player Evans is. He is a physical rusher who will never go down easy and will wear out defenses over the course of a game. His vision and elusiveness are average, but he makes up for it with phenomenal contact balance and burst.
Entering his rookie season in September 2023, Evans will only be 22 years old. As a rookie, his impact will be made rushing the football on the inside as a north-south runner. Meanwhile, he will need to develop as a pass blocker and improve his receiving ability. In the right situation with proper development, Zach Evans can be a true number-one running back as soon as 2024.
Main Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
