Zach Evans NFL Draft Scouting Report

RB, Ole Miss Rebels

Zach Evans was a running back for the Ole Miss program who transferred in for the 2022 season after starting his collegiate career at TCU. Evans is a former 5-star high school athlete who possesses high-level physical tools. Evans transferred to the Ole Miss program and was named the starter heading into the season. Although Evans began the season as the starter with productive performances, this Ole Miss backfield quickly became a running back by committee and the number of carries Evans received varied from game to game. Evans still managed to rush for more than 900 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Evans is a well-rounded running back prospect that has all of the elements of speed, size, and functional strength that make him a productive running back. At Ole Miss, Evans played in a spread offense that has zone principles in the running game that allowed him to showcase his best abilities. On zone running plays, Evans does a good job of stretching runs and being patient behind the line of scrimmage, allowing for a hole to open up. Once Evans identifies a hole, he does a good job of making a violent cut and getting vertical into the hole, and picking up plus yardage. 

Working his way upfield, Evans becomes an explosive linear runner, showcasing good burst and acceleration. Evans’ speed and acceleration allow for him to rip off big gains and he has the speed to flip field positions with his burst and acceleration. While Evans is an explosive runner, there is also an element of physicality in his game. Evans does a good job of finishing runs. In situations where he needs to finish runs in the hole, Evans will lower his pad level and attempt to run through defenders to pick up those physical yards in between the tackles.

Evans’ identifiable improvements start with his lack of production in the passing game. Through his three years in college football, Evans has had minimal production catching the football. Evans also appears to be more of a linear back who operates best when his pads are north and south. This could affect his ability to be productive when he faces early interior penetration and how he can use lateral moves to make defenders miss and still be productive. 

Overall, Evans has all of the physical tools necessary to be a productive NFL player, but there are detailed aspects of his game that need to be improved upon that will ultimately decide how successful his professional career will be.

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Quick accelerator/burst in open field  
• Can run with physicality  
• Big-play ability 

Top Reasons For Concern: 

• Scheme specific (most production in zone schemes) 
• Lack of production receiving the ball  
• Pass protection 

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 202 lbs

Arm Length: 31 5/8”

Hand Size: 10 1/4”

Athletic Testing (source):

40-yard Dash: TBD

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: TBD

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Starting running back 

Scheme Fit: Zone run scheme

TDN Consensus Grade: 77.50/100 (Third-Round Value)

• Sanchez Grade:  77.50/100

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Exposures: Arkansas (2022), Alabama (2022), Kentucky (2022), Auburn (2022)

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