Rookie Scouting Profile: Zach Evans

FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Zach Evans (RB)

Zach Evans (RB) Ole Miss

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
5-11	208	4.55*	05/30/2001	Day 2-3	2.05	Damien Harris

*Pro Day

College Production

Zachary Evans was a key cog in the fabled North Shore (Houston, TX) program that won back-to-back Texas 6A state championships. Evans became the first five-star recruit to commit to TCU, choosing to stay home in the Lone Star State over North Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia Tech. In his true freshman campaign (2020), Evans ran for 415 yards (7.7 YPC) and four scores, with a further 8/76 through the air in nine games. A foot injury limited Evans to six games in 2021 but he still led the Horned Frogs with 648 yards on the ground (7.0 YPC). Feeling underused at TCU, Evans transferred to Ole Miss prior to the 2022 season. In his one season for the Rebels, Evans ran for 936 yards and 10 scores while reeling in an additional dozen balls for 119 receiving yards.

Strengths

• Burst, balance, and power to be a plus inside and goal-line option. Also has enough speed and vision to be more than a one-trick pony.

• Tackle-breaker with the strength to run through defenders and create a lot of extra yards after contact.

• Very good initial burst and lateral agility.

• Although not the fastest timed 40, Evans’ speed is more evident on tape, as is his ability to out-run defenders to get to the first-down marker or goal line.

• Ran for 53 first downs and posted a nifty 45.9% breakaway run rate in 2022.

Concerns

• Lack of ball security. Had a 14.3% drop rate in 2022 and ranked 175th out of 194 running backs in PFF’s fumble grade.

• Ranked 191st out of 199 qualifying FBS running backs in PFF’s pass-blocking grade. That, combined with his poor showing as a receiver is going to keep Evans off the field on passing downs.

• Doesn’t show the greatest vision or decision-making when choosing inside running lanes.

• Despite lofty pedigree, was never able to take over as the unquestioned feature back at either TCU or Ole Miss.

Fantasy Outlook

When the game flow is favorable, there is a lot to like about Zach Evans. He has the build and power to be a solid pile-mover and short-yardage option. However, he was mostly a negative as a receiver and his poor blocking is likely to keep him off the field in obvious passing situations.

That’s quite a concern in a league that seems to keep embracing high-octane passing offenses every season. Overall. I see Evans being used in a part-time role and that makes him a risky second-round investment in rookie drafts.