Underrated RB prospect named Day 3 fit for Saints
In next week's NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints are expected to address their defensive line as well as wide receiver and safety. Despite the signing of Jamaal Williams, the Saints have been busy doing their due diligence on running backs before the draft as well, meaning it's likely they'll bring a player from that position […]
In next week's NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints are expected to address their defensive line as well as wide receiver and safety.
Despite the signing of Jamaal Williams, the Saints have been busy doing their due diligence on running backs before the draft as well, meaning it's likely they'll bring a player from that position in at some point, probably in the mid-rounds.
Pro Football Focus feels they have an ideal fit for the Saints on Day 3 in this critical area. They deemed Ole Miss running back Zach Evans as the man for the job.
With Alvin Kamara getting up there in age — and in salary cap hits — the Saints may opt to try to find his replacement sooner rather than later. Evans played second-fiddle his entire college career but is one of the class' more dynamic backs in space.
Evans started his collegiate career in his home state of Texas with the TCU Horned Frogs. He played in nine games as a freshman and ran for 415 yards on 54 carries. Unfortunately, a turf toe injury limited Evans to just six games in 2021, but he did run for 648 yards (four 100-yard performances).
Although he transferred to Ole Miss for the 2022 season, Evans wasn't the primary runner. That was SEC Freshman of the Year Quinshon Judkins who ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns. However, Evans was highly effective with 936 yards and nine scores, averaging 6.5 yards per rush.
Evans run a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash and showed his athleticism with a 33.5-inch vertical jump and 12'1" in the broad jump. So, Evans does have extremely solid speed, but his vision in the open field and ability to make guys miss are stronger traits.
When it comes to running backs these days, the best value is in the mid-rounds, and Evans would make a nice addition to the Saints' offense.
