The Tennessee Titans will see a new face in their backfield in 2020 after drafting running back Darrynton Evans to play behind Derrick Henry, who won the NFL’s rushing title in 2019.
While those two are locks to be on the roster going into the regular season, there are still some questions left to be answered, and both Evans and Henry have things to work on in training camp.
Let’s take a look at those running backs who are roster locks and those that are on the bubble, and then we’ll make a prediction for how things will shake out for the 53-man roster.
Roster locks
Derrick Henry (Starter)
Darrynton Evans (Backup)
Analysis for Henry: As long as the Alabama product can continue running defenders over and picking up chunk yards like he did last season, he’s going to have a successful 2020 campaign.
However, the Titans would love to see Henry improve as a pass-catcher, which is an area he has struggled at in the past. It also didn’t help that Tennessee’s screen game was a complete mess in 2019.
Expect to see an emphasis on passing Henry the rock in camp, as it would serve the offense well to get the ball into the hands of its best play-maker in a variety of ways, especially when he’s in space.
Analysis for Evans: While the Titans’ 2020 third-round pick will certainly be on the roster, the amount of snaps and touches he gets will depend upon how he shows during training camp and the preseason.
If he’s slow to develop overall, the Titans might be forced to carry an extra back on top Henry, Evans, and quite possibly fullback Khari Blasingame.
We already know that Evans is an explosive back with great speed, and he has shown he has the chops to be an effective pass-catcher, also. What we don’t know is how he’ll hold up in pass protection, which is important if he wants to assume the third-down role that Dion Lewis vacated.
On top of trying to secure trust to with coaches in order to dominate the snaps and touches behind Henry, Evans will likely get a look as a return man after proving to be an impact player in that area with a kick return average of 25.7 yards and three scores in three seasons at Appalachian State.