Darrynton Evans, the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year, has been fielding a lot of phone calls leading up to Thursday’s NFL Draft.
Once called the best-kept secret of the 2020 NFL Draft (among running backs), I guess word is out about Darrynton Evans now.
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly one of many teams reaching out to speak with him.
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
Who is Darrynton Evans?
Evans is a junior at Appalachian State University.
His yards per carry of 6.6 and 5.8 in 2018 and 2019 are impressive.
In 2019, he rushed for a career-high 1,480 yards.
#AppState RB Darrynton Evans, who will be drafted next week, took over this game: pic.twitter.com/Uvy8uEt28a
— Andrew Gibson (@1010XLAG) April 18, 2020
In addition to 18 rushing TDs in 2019, he also caught 5 passing TDs.
He has special teams experience as well.
Pros:
- Quick
He is fast, evidenced by his 4.41 40 yard dash (second only to Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor at the 2020 NFL Combine).
- Good Football Instincts
Evans also is touted for his patience and vision.
These attributes translate into an ability to make something out of what looks like nothing on rushing plays.
Known for being humble and levelheaded, Darrynton Evans had planned to return for his senior season at Appalachian State until his coaches counseled him.
He weighed the pros and cons and declared for the NFL Draft.
Cons:
- Comes from a Small School
Every prospective NFL athlete who comes from a small school hears the scouts’ concern.
Can this player handle NFL competition considering he comes from a smaller Division I school?
And to be brutally honest, the Sun Belt Conference is not the most competitive in college football.
So this is a lingering question Evans will have to deal with from draft day forward.
- Size
At 5’11” and 200 lbs., Darrynton Evans is a small RB.
In the NFL, he will face tacklers who have at least 100 lbs. on him.
It is not impossible to be an accomplished NFL player at this size.
Evans need not look any further than Darren Sproles for inspiration.
He even has a few inches of height over the 5’6″ Sproles who built a 15 year NFL career being small but speedy as a RB and on special teams.
Could Darrynton Evans be drafted by the Colts?
Darrynton Evans was an accomplished and versatile RB at Appalachian State University.
Most likely, his name will be called in the 3rd or 4th round.
In the days leading up to the draft, virtually anything is possible.
But practically speaking, if Evans goes in the 3rd or 4th round as projected, the Colts may not have an opportunity to draft him.
The Colts 3rd and 4th round picks are:
#75 overall (3rd Round, Pick 11)
#122 overall (4th Round, Pick 16)
While the Colts could definitely use a RB to give Marlon Mack a breather from time-to-time, the team may pursue a bigger name in the early rounds.
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor is on the Colts radar and is a potential 2nd round pick.
LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been mentioned as a possible 3rd round pick.
Given that most NFL teams have communicated with Evans, it is likely he will not be wearing a Colts uniform in 2020.
Draft week speculation will soon come to an end as the NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23 and runs through Saturday, April 25.
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