The Tennessee Titans might have found the perfect complement to running back Derrick Henry with their third round pick of Appalachian State product, Darrynton Evans.
Head coach Mike Vrabel made it quite clear what the team was looking for in a backup running back, which was a player who could contribute on all three downs, as well as in the return game.
Well, Evans checks those boxes and then some.
With his 4.41 40-yard dash speed — the second fastest among all running backs at the 2020 NFL Combine — Evans is the kind of change-of-pace back the Titans need.
As a rusher, he broke the 1,000-yard mark in each of his last two seasons in college, including a career-high 1,489 yards in 2019 that no doubt helped him earn Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Not only can he can contribute on the ground to spell Henry, but Evans also has the chops to be an asset in the passing game. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound back caught 21 passes for 198 yards (9.5 yards per reception) and five touchdowns in his junior year.
As a returner, Evans totaled 56 kick returns for 1,439 yards (25.7 yards per return) and three scores during his career at Appalachian State.
On the surface, Evans has all the qualities that make him the right fit for what the Titans were looking for. This pick is definitely a winner for general manager Jon Robinson.
Grade: A
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