The Tennessee Titans have been trying to get that spark alongside Derrick Henry in the backfield for several seasons now – the lightning to the King’s thunder, if you will. When the Titans selected Darrynton Evans out of Appalachian State in the 2020 NFL Draft, it certainly looked like he would fill that role on the team. After a hyper-productive 2019 season that saw Evans go for 1,678 yards from scrimmage and score 23 total touchdowns, he entered the NFL as a versatile weapon – a shifty, hard-nosed, and productive runner who could catch passes, and maybe even serve as returner to boot. That versatility was touted from the get-go.
But, a hamstring injury limited Evans to just five games in his rookie season, during which he amassed 54 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. It’s not exactly like he lit the world on fire, but there were benefits to a redshirt season of sorts. Evans recently said that the injury was “probably one of the best things” for him, noting that the time off provided him a new sort of perspective of things on the field. With the recent overhaul of the offensive roster, there’s still a need for play-makers wherever the Titans can get them – be it wide receiver, tight end, or yes, even running back. It doesn’t matter where the plays come from on offense just as long as they’re being made. For Evans, he has an opportunity to claim one of those spots, and given his versatile style of play, could realistically do it. Upon showing up to voluntary OTAs, the Titans worked him out at wide receiver.
RB Darrynton Evans (@ItzLiveee) worked with the receivers in Thursday’s @Titans OTA. pic.twitter.com/F30Kj7nAyD
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) May 27, 2021
I’m still a believer in Evans’ talent, and while I do think he should see an expanded role in 2021 regardless, to me, this is an indicator of this regime understanding their situation in the receiving corps right now. It ain’t that good, folks. The Titans need to be trying new things right now, and exploring every potential option they have to get a little more fireworks out of the passing game. AJ Brown is on a trajectory to become one of the best receivers in the game, if not already. Josh Reynolds has all the makings of a solid WR3, but not a lot of experience as a WR2 in the NFL. I like Dez Fitzpatrick as a 1:1 replacement of Corey Davis in terms of style (I’m not saying he’s going to be as good as Davis – just that he attacks the position in the same manner as Davis). Anthony Firkser is a talented pass catcher, but his impact as TE1 remains to be seen. There are plenty of questions across the board outside of Brown.
So, yeah – I like the idea of getting a guy with speed and a demonstrated track record of production in a versatile role in college more involved in the offense in different ways now that he’s healthy. But, I also think it’s a good sign that the Titans are trying new things. Maybe…just maybe…it means they’re not exactly content to roll with the group they have. I still think there’s an addition to this receiving corps coming, whether that’s in the form of Julio Jones or not, who knows? But, the Titans have to have a significant threat opposite Brown in order to keep defenses from stacking coverage against Brown and clogging up the passing game for the Titans altogether. If there’s no threat to pass, then defenses will just key in on Henry and the whole damn offense slows down. That’s why sorting out who is going to be that guy is so important. Is it Darrynton Evans? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean there’s no role for him on this team – and like I said, at least they are trying. This is a good thing.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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