Vikings 2023 NFL draft scouting report: Ole Miss RB Zach Evans
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This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have five picks and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
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Zach Evans
Ole Miss
Transfer from TCU
Height-5110
Weight-202 lbs
Third-year Junior
5-Star recruit per 247 Sports
Stats: 290 carries, 1,999 yards, 6.9 YPC, 18 touchdowns, 30 receptions, 325 yards, 10.8 YPC, 2 touchdowns
Games watched: Arkansas 2022, Georgia Tech 2022, Vanderbilt 2022
Strengths
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Evans is a supremely talented running back. A five-star coming out of high school, Evans showed his ability at TCU before heading to Ole Miss for 2022.
At Ole Miss, Evans was a big play machine, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He had the ability to hit a home run at any time and did so often.
The athleticism that Evans has is arguably his most impressive trait. Evans puts his foot in the ground and explodes for big gains. He not only can explode through the hole, he rounds the corner to gain the edge with a real smoothness.
Weaknesses
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Despite all the positives, Evans isn’t a natural in two main areas: receiving and pass blocking.
Evans doesn’t look like a natural pass catcher. Everything looks clunky when he goes to catch the football and has a drop percentage of 14.3%. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s fine, but it’s not a positive.
Pass blocking is also sketchy. He doesn’t have great technique or strength. Often times, Evans will just throw his body at the defender in hopes of stopping him.
Injuries have also been a concern. He has been banged up over the course of his career, and injured his hamstring right before the combine.
Overview
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Vision | 8.2/10 |
Cutback | 8.6/10 |
Long Speed | 4.2/5 |
Contact Balance | 8.0/10 |
Pass Blocking | 6.8/10 |
Break/Avoid Tackles | 8.0/15 |
Durability | 7.8/10 |
Receiving | 6.7/10 |
Quickness | 8.4/10 |
Ball Security | 7.8/10 |
Grade | 74.5/100 Fourth Round |
Evans has a lot of positives, but his lack of well-rounded play keeps him lower than his ability with the ball in his hands would tell you. If you believe that you can work with a 21 yeard old Evans on those fronts, I have no issue with taking him earlier.
Other notables
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