The 2023 NFL Draft is here! After months of waiting, we finally know where the 2023 NFL Draft class will land. This information shapes the outlook for rookies in 2023 and beyond. We’re going to have you covered throughout and following the 2023 NFL Draft to help you prepare for your fantasy football leagues. Next up for many will be dynasty rookie drafts. To help you prepare to make your dynasty rookie draft picks, let’s dive into Matthew Jones’s 2023 NFL Draft profile as well as Pat Fitzmaurice’s dynasty rookie draft outlook for Zach Evans.
Dynasty Rookie Picks & Predictions: Rams Draft Zach Evans
Let’s first see what NFL Draft expert Matthew Jones says about Zach Evans.
Matthew Jones’s 2023 NFL Draft Outlook
Background:
Five-star recruit who was Texas Christian’s first such commitment, rushing 54-415-4 (7.7) as a freshman in a deep rotation. Role expanded to 92-648-5 (7.0) the following year but was still part of a three-back rotation, and season ended early due to turf toe. Transferred to Mississippi this past year and went 144-963-9 (6.5) as the second back behind freshman Quinshon Judkins. Also caught thirty career passes.
Positives:
Has been efficient over the past three years, without accumulating too much tread on his tires. Was asked to carry the load at times and looked capable; has the type of strong build teams look for in a bellcow. Very smooth runner whose overall set of athletic tools is impressive, with very good burst and speed; has the ability to hit home runs when he finds a lane, and can seemingly outrace defenders to the corner on outside rushes at will. Has good vision to recognize cutback lanes, but is generally a no-nonsense runner who executes the play as drawn up. Doesn’t have to shift down when making cuts at the second level. Can spin off contact and run through arm tackles while maintaining his balance. Shows a violent stiff-arm when he gets to the edge. Generally does a good job of falling forward at the end of his runs.
Negatives:
Never established himself as the feature back in either program despite being Texas Christian’s most highly-ranked recruit ever. Doesn’t barrel through tacklers until he gets to the second level, or break a ton of tackles overall. Faster and smoother than he is elusive; tends to run by opponents rather than making them miss in the hole. Fumbled five times on barely 300 career touches. Usage as a receiver was limited throughout his career; only exceeded ten catches in a season this past year. Was very rarely retained in pass protection and didn’t grade out well in that facet of the game.
Summary:
A solidly-built, smooth accelerator with home-run speed, he has the look of a real weapon on outside rushing attempts, winning the corner and racking up chunk plays down the sidelines. Has superior tools, but passing-down usage was limited in school and was never able to lock down a feature-back role at the college level, which might give some teams pause when considering him relative to some of the workhorses in the class. However, should be a safe bet to be a big-play threat as part of a running back committee, and could potentially lock down a number-one role, which should earn him a second-day selection.
2023 Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook: Zach Evans
The Rams drafted Evans with the third-to-last pick of the sixth round. The draft capital spent on Evans might not be especially flattering, but the landing spot is a good one for the Ole Miss product. Cam Akers is the Rams’ starter, and Kyren Williams is an unproven second-year passing-down back. The only other running back on the Rams’ roster is Ronnie Rivers. There’s a good chance Evans will be Akers’ primary backup.
Evans is a patient runner with good vision and impressive burst. He was a playmaker throughout his three seasons at Ole Miss, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and 10.8 yards per catch. Matt Waldman, author of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio, graded Evans and the best decision-maker in this year’s RB class.
Evans was listed at 212 pounds at Ole Miss but weighed only 202 pounds at the Scouting Combine. It’s also worth noting that Evans was relegated to a supporting role in his final college season behind freshman Quinshon Judkins, who had 1,567 rushing yards to Evans’ 936. Evans isn’t a very accomplished pass catcher, never having recorded more than 12 receptions in any of his three seasons with the Rebs.
The appealing landing spot makes Evans a reasonable option in the late third round of 1QB dynasty rookie drafts or in the fourth round of superflex drafts.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio