Chris Evans is not Captain America but merely a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. Evans is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up as an Ohio State fan. However, rival head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines popped up on his radar first while at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. Harbaugh was able to secure Evans’ commitment as a four-star prospect before the rival Buckeyes even had a chance to bring him into Columbus.
Chris Evans’ collegiate career did not go as planned. He did not register more than 151 touches in any season despite averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 9.8 yards per reception over the course of his four collegiate seasons. That 151 touch season came in 2017 where he ran for 5.1 yards per carry on 135 carries and 9.8 yards per reception on 16 receptions. Evans scored seven touchdowns that season as well. He was suspended for the 2019 season for academic issues. He touched the ball just 25 times in the COVID-reduced 2020 season where Michigan played six games. His utilization was a far cry from what his talent warranted despite sharing a backfield with a number of other talented backs in Ann Arbor.
However, that did not stop the NFL from recognizing his talent and 4.57 40-yard dash speed. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Chris Evans in the 6th round of the 2021 Draft with the 202nd overall pick. Evans was sparsely used as a rookie, though, totaling 32 touches over the season and playing 11.3-percent of the Bengals’ snaps. He evaded 12 tackles over those 32 touches, and created 5.28 yards per touch. He did flash as a receiver, hauling in two touchdowns from 24 and four yards out. He did not register a drop over his 17 targets. Those targets resulted in Evans registering a 3.9-percent target share. Evans has plenty of competition in that backfield in the form of Joe Mixon and sturdy backup Samaje Perine, but he should not be discounted. Chris Evans has plenty of enough talent to earn himself a key role every week for a good offense and produce from it. Keep an eye on Evans in the backfield on the chance he earns himself a bigger role, which could come sooner while under a rookie contract than later.
