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According to The Draft Wire’s Justin Melo, the Indianapolis Colts are among the teams that have met with Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans ahead of this week’s NFL Draft:
Full list of Darrynton Evans meetings.#Colts, #Titans, #Cardinals, #Bills, #Chargers, #Falcons, #Saints, #Jags, #Jets, #Bears, #Eagles, #Cowboys, #Texans, #49ers, #Broncos, #Lions, #Panthers, #Bucs, #Browns, #Steelers, #Chiefs, #Dolphins, #Giants, #Rams, #Ravens, #Browns.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 21, 2020
The junior running back ran for 1,480 rushing yards on 255 carries (5.8 ypc. avg.) and 18 touchdowns, as well as amassed 198 receiving yards and 5 touchdown receptions on 21 catches during 14 starts in 2019—becoming the Sun Belt Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and earning All-Sun Belt First Team honors (the latter for a consecutive season).
He also has the special teams versatility to return kickoffs.
Stampede Blue’s Zach Hicks interviewed Evans in early January.
The 5’10”, 203 pound running back recorded a 4.41 forty time, 20 bench press reps, a 37.0 inch vertical, and a broad jump of 125.0 inches. His SPARQ rating (which measures overall athleticism) was in the 84.0% NFL percentile—which is 5th best in his running back draft class.
Evans has excellent speed, burst, elusiveness, and vision in the open field—with added versatility in the receiving game. He has true home run hitting ability out of the backfield.
That being said, he doesn’t tend to break many tackles and isn’t an overly physical runner between the tackles.
Here’s what some draft experts are saying on Evans (and general highlights):
Spoke with App State RB Darrynton Evans yesterday. He’s been extremely busy with Skype interviews with teams. I believe he’s going to go early 3rd round. So many teams are looking to add this type of RB. Speed & versatility.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 30, 2020
App. St. Darrynton Evans has so much juice. Love watching him play. Should be a prime target for many teams in 3rd-4th round range. pic.twitter.com/bqA9oZZXvk
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) April 4, 2020
Top 5 RBs for 2020 NFL Draft:
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) March 2, 2020
1) D'Andre Swift
2) Jonathan Taylor
3) J.K. Dobbins
4) Clyde Edwards-Helaire
5) Cam Akers
Underrated gem: Darrynton Evans
Darrynton Evans and Antonio Gibson are two names that are mentioned quite often when talking to teams about intriguing RB prospects.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) March 30, 2020
Like DJ said, speed + versatility is the key. https://t.co/Rj7aXs5Fty
I don't dislike Darrynton Evans, but his tape surprised me because normally non-Power 5 RBs who get a bunch of hype either break a ton of tackles or consistently make people miss, and he doesn't do either.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) April 13, 2020
App St. RB Darrynton Evans — 4.41 speed + vision in the open field.
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 7, 2020
NFL teams can highlight his receiving traits on screens, verticals (seams, corners) & wheels from backfield alignments. @NFLMatchup pic.twitter.com/CzAWca1Zkj
App St. RB Darrynton Evans has some tools than can help an NFL team.
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) March 17, 2020
I won't project him as a starting-caliber yards after contact guy but he's highly elusive and part of it is micro-movements to transform hits or wraps into wraps or reaches. pic.twitter.com/04ZDeB3vS2
My newest draft crush? App State RB Darrynton Evans. 2,064 all purpose yards (1,480 yards rushing) and 24 TDs in just 2019. Super explosive and elusive in the open field. Reminds me of Marlon Mack as a prospect. He’s going to be a day 3 steal come Draft day: pic.twitter.com/RI9qaykay3
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) January 10, 2020
App State RB Darrynton Evans (@ItzLiveee) Highlights
— JustBombsProductions (@JBP_Official) February 28, 2020
Evans might have had the best 2019 season people didn't show enough to love to. He rushed for 1,480 yards & 18 TDs while also catching 5 TDs #GoApp
Full Video : https://t.co/c75Ck4WYSL pic.twitter.com/RlpvLzePTo
Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State
— Brian Shacochis (aka Shack, aka Shacknado) (@DynastyTools) January 11, 2020
5-11/200
2019 stats...
Rushing: 255-1,480-18
Receiving: 21-198-5
Scrimmage: 276-1,678-23
Could be an interesting lottery ticket late in rookie drafts.
A quick look at his speed in action vs. Charlotte this season: pic.twitter.com/0vtTevzDss
The Colts do not have a glaring hole at running back with starter Marlon Mack and backups Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins playing behind him—which appears to be a deep position.
However, Mack will be a free agent at season’s end, and it’s uncertain if the Colts are interested in re-signing him to a lucrative multi-year deal.
Both Hines and Wilkins are ideally utilized situationally or as part of a platoon system—with differing skill-sets—although the same could be said for Evans, who doesn’t project to be an every down workhorse at the next level.
Evans could be a worthwhile ‘Day 2 or early Day 3’ pick for the Colts as a potential sleeper at this year’s running back position—with the hopes of filling a more down-the-road need.