Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans is a definite name to know entering the 2020 NFL Draft for Detroit Lions fans. Evans is a player who fits what the Lions want and need in adding another running back to the backfield mix.
Evans was one of three RBs to make the cut in the highly predictive Quinn Influenced Benchmarks, as laid out by Erik Schlitt. It’s a breakdown of speed, size and burst metrics in athletic testing.
His RAS score shows he’s elite in everything but size, and he’s not small for a speed back at 5-10 and 203 pounds. He’s very similar to Lamar Miller in size and athleticism.
Lamar Miller is a good player comparison for Evans, but it’s not a perfect one. Evans is faster in the open field and has more of a bounce to his legs, though Miller had better vision and more fortitude on inside runs.
Games watched:
Lousiana (played twice in 2019), North Carolina, South Carolina, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina (2018), MTSU (2018)
Pros
- Getting up the field on edge/stretch runs. Evans is very good at finding the exact right time to floor the gas pedal and get around the edge. Decisive thrust forward off the outside block.
- Exceptional change of direction and elusiveness. He can flash a target to a potential tackler and take it away instantly with very fluid hips, fast feet and body control.
- Ball security and hands. Zero career fumbles in over 400 touches. Pass drop statistics are incomplete but he’s listed as having one in 2019 against 21 catches.
- Passing game work. He flexed out to the slot comfortably on numerous occasions. Routes are fairly pedestrian but he can sit down against a zone and reliably catches everything thrown his way. Good outlet receiver who can make the first tackler miss on swings and screens. He runs wheel routes out of the backfield very well but almost never saw the ball on those plays thanks to iffy QB play.
Cons
- Power between the tackles. Evans is not a banger on inside runs. He doesn’t drive hard into contact and always looks like he’s trying to escape it instead of just lowering the shoulder and maximizing yardage inside.
- Has some hesitation to his runs when the hole isn’t where it’s designed. Better NFL backside pursuit will get him more often than it did in college when he shuffles waiting for the hole. Was noticeable vs. Louisiana.
- Hit-and-run pass protection. Evans capably drops the shoulder or throws a hip check into rushers in pass protection but he makes little effort to sustain contact, and he lacks the strength to impact more powerful defenders.
Overall
Darrynton Evans nicely fits the role of a “lightning” back in an RB rotation, working with a heavier power back. His speed, acceleration, big-play ability as both a runner and receiver are all just as good as several RBs who will be selected ahead of him in the 2020 NFL Draft.
NFL Comparison: Lamar Miller
Where he’s projected: 4th-5th round
Where I’d take him: 3rd round