Rookie Running Back Looks to Measure Up

Darrynton Evans has used speed, attention to detail to overcome size disadvantage at other levels of football.

Darrynton Evans is among the smallest players on the Tennessee Titans’ roster.

One of a handful listed at 5-foot-10, only three players are shorter (two of them are 5-foot-8, one his 5-foot-9). For comparison, the guy Evans looks up to on the depth chart, Derrick Henry, is 6-foot-3, 247 pounds.

The rookie running back, though, said none of that matters in the NFL. At least for him.

Always one of the smallest players at any level he has played at in his career, Evans has something that not many guys can catch up to. That is, of course, his speed.

“With me, I was never the biggest guy even growing up, so I kind of found my strengths and stuff in my speed, so I’m just trying to use my speed to kind of level that out,” Evans said. “At the same time, everybody here is a professional so it’s really not too much to worry about size. You just got to go out there and play.”

At the NFL Combine this past February, Evans lit up the 40-yard dash.

The 11th fastest time out of all players at the combine, Evans ran it in 4.41 seconds. Jonathan Taylor, who was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts, was the only running back who ran faster (4.39). Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III took home the fastest time at 4.27.

Selected by the Titans in the third round of the NFL Draft this past April, Evans showcased his speed and agility over the course of four seasons at Appalachian State. There, he scampered for 2,884 total yards and 25 touchdowns on 482 carries. Evans saved the best for last, too. During his senior season, he compiled 1,480 yards and 18 touchdowns on 255 carries.

While Evans did most of his damage as a runner, many believe that he will have a different role with the Titans.

Henry undoubtedly will get the lion’s share of carries, but Evans could be a complement in the passing game, particularly on screens. As a pass catcher in college, Evans caught 39 passes for 319 yards and six touchdowns. He produced his best numbers in that area as a senior with 21 receptions for 198 yards and five touchdowns.

During recent practice, Evans caught a screen pass and took it up the right sideline.

“I feel like every year I got better [at pass catching],” Evans said. “I started out with Coach (Scott Satterfield), I really wasn’t used in the passing game as much with my first staff, and then when Coach Drink (Eliah Drinkwitz) came along, I kind of was used a little bit more. I would say that’s how that was really throughout college. Obviously, now I’m just trying to adjust.”

Despite a few fumble issues early on in camp, the Titans have been impressed with Evans, who has missed practice time in recent days for undisclosed reasons. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said that Evans has handled everything he has faced thus far.

“He’s done a good job for a rookie,” Smith said. “What we saw coming from App State. He's got some speed, so we’ll just see how it shakes out. It's still really early to give you the full report on him, but I like a lot of rookies. He’s handling what we’re throwing at him.”

As camp gives way the regular season, Evans knows that the ups and downs of a rookie season in the NFL will be something he can’t outrun. But he is not about to shrink from the challenge.

“I would say I’m doing pretty good so far, definitely could be better, but it’s definitely faster than what it was at App State,” he said. “Definitely more physical and there’s a lot more mental, too. Definitely more mental and you’ve got to be … detailed with everything that you do.”