2023 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Zach Evans, RB Ole Miss

Peter Lawrence

After 2022 saw no running backs get drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, be prepared to see the possibility of an RB going in the top ten and possibly even two in round one. Bijan Robinson is your RB1 and first overall pick regardless of format.

We have taken a look at Robinson, Tank Bigsby, Jahmyr Gibbs, Zach Charbonnet, Kendre Miller, Sean Tucker, and Devon Achane. What a year to need or want an RB for your fantasy team.

Zach Evans might not have the stats as some of those players but he was seen as a close second to Robinson coming into college by many of the recruiting sites.

RECRUITMENT

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Courtesy of 247 Sports.

Evans had an interesting time with his recruiting. Originally set to attend Georgia after a junior season that saw him rush for 1,700 yards and 29 touchdowns, he had signed a letter of intent with them in 2019. This was a season of difficulty for Evans who was benched due to disciplinary reasons for two games early in the season and later in the season during the state championship. In early January, he was released from his LOI by Georgia. Evans started to go back to visits that were cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He then signed to play at TCU.

Evans was seen as a five-star recruit on ESPN, 16th overall on the ESPN Top 300, and as their top running back of the class. 247 Sports had him as a four-star recruit behind only Robinson and Demarkcus Bowman at the position.

COLLEGIATE CAREER

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Courtesy of Sports Reference.

Evans transferred from TCU to Ole Miss for his junior collegiate season and produce his best year statistically. He is a special talent, who in high school, missed the first half of his semifinal game to take his ACT and still produced 176 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries despite only playing the second half. And he produced in college.

ATHLETIC PROFILE

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Measurements from 247Sports.

Evans is a stud athlete. Be prepared to get excited about his combine numbers. He ran a 3.84-second shuttle which shows on tape when you watch his ability to move to lateral and to start-stop. In the clip below, he is squatting 605 pounds for two reps. The strength and power show in the drive generated in his legs and his vertical numbers.

STRENGTHS

  • Acceleration and burst – that 3.84 shuttle speed is elite.
  • Able to stretch a play in a zone offense and then get vertical through the hole.
  • A north-south runner who doesn’t waste motion. Strong through the interior of the line.
  • Speed to outrun defenders who take poor angles.
  • Contact balance and build to absorb hits and stay upright to gain extra yardage.

WEAKNESSES

  • Runs a little too upright at times and doesn’t get his weight behind his pads.
  • Needs continued work in pass protection.
  • Lacks pass-catching stats, but shows the ability to track the ball.
  • Needs to work on patience as a runner.

DRAFT VALUE

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Courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database.

Based on recent seasons, Evans seems like a solid day-two RB for a team to draft. He will need a strong Scouting Combine and 40-yard dash time to wow teams if he wants to climb up to the early second round. Without the stats of other backs in this year’s class, the combine, pro-day, and visits will be made or break for Evans.

DYNASTY OUTLOOK

Evans will likely be a first-round pick in both superflex and one-QB leagues. Currently, in the DLF rookie rankings. he is seen as a top-ten talent. He is ranked as the RB3 in this group.

Evans was compared to Melvin Gordon coming out of high school. He never statistically produced like Gordon but has some of the same traits. He has a safe floor with the potential to be a three-down back who gets a majority of the snaps in an offense.

Right now he might be sliding under the radar of the casual fantasy fan who is unaware of his talent. He is the right back to be taken in the middle of round one for one-QB drafts and will be a strong addition for teams at the back end of the round in superflex drafts.

It will be hard for any back to leap-frog Bijan Robinson this season. But if Evans lands in the right spot, there are plenty of things to get excited about.

peter lawrence
2023 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Zach Evans, RB Ole Miss