On the bubble: Can RB Zach Evans find a role on 2024 Rams?

Training camp kicks off later this month for the Los Angeles Rams. This year’s practices will be held at Loyola Marymount University and will get underway on July 25th.

As training camp approaches, it’s time to take a look at individual players who may find themselves on the bubble of the Rams’ 53-man roster. For me, one of the most compelling names in that position is second-year running back Zach Evans.

How Zach Evans landed in Los Angeles

Evans was considered a borderline first round pick one year before the 2023 NFL Draft, but ultimately after transferring to Ole Miss for one year after playing two seasons at TCU Evans did little to help his draft stock. Evans compares stylistically to former Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, and on-field talent has never been his question. There were notable off-field and character concerns surrounding Evans coming out of college.

But the Rams seemed intrigued by Evans’ physical talents and were willing to take a gamble on his off-field concerns. Los Angeles traded up into the sixth round in order to select the former Ole Miss product.

We haven’t seen Evans much in his short time with the Rams. He played only 25 snaps in his rookie preseason campaign where he carried the ball 23 times for 77 yards (3.3 average). PFF credited the young back with 2.22 yards after contact per carry. In the regular season we saw Evans make an appearance in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals after both Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers were lost with injury. He had four carries in that game for 10 yards. Evans played just 12 snaps in the four games for which he was on the field.

Is Evans still a fit in the Rams’ offense?

Sean McVay and the Rams dramatically shifted their philosophy in the running game last season. These are no longer the Todd Gurley era Rams that specialize in wide zone based concepts—instead the team has transitioned to a heavy gap-based approach.

Evans seems better suited for a zone-based offensive scheme, and this seems to bear out in his limited usage by the Rams. In the preseason last year, 17 of his 23 carries were considered zone runs by PFF. In the regular season he had two zone carries and seven gap attempts. Even when Williams and Rivers were injured, the Rams opted to sign veteran Darrell Henderson as a street free agent instead of turning the keys over to Evans—a particularly damning part of his rookie campaign.

Were the Rams simply attempting to hide their philosophical change in the preseason, or were they hoping to put Evans in a position to make the most of his skillset? If he can’t adapt to the gap-based scheme, then he’ll find himself on the outside of the running back rotation in Los Angeles.

LA’s RB room is as crowded as I can remember

Los Angeles reinforced the backup running back position this offseason by drafting Michigan’s Blake Corum in the third round. This was probably a wise move considering Kyren Williams’ extensive injury history given his relative experience in the NFL, though Williams has been a highly productive player when healthy. Ronnie Rivers is a solid number three option. He seems to find space as a runner even where there doesn’t seem to be much room, but we can be honest that he’s not the most naturally gifted back on the roster. The Rams also added Boston Scott this offseason and he’s expected to help on special teams and in the return game.

Williams and Corum are virtual locks to make the roster. If Scott earns the return man job in a year where kickoffs are especially important—given the NFL’s recent rule changes—then he should make the team as well. That leaves Rivers and Evans on the bubble.

Would the Rams keep four running backs? Can Evans prove he deserves to stick around over Rivers, someone who’s earned McVay’s trust over the last few seasons?

Evans may also have some trade value for a team that still utilizes a zone-based running scheme. It’s unusual to see a player traded in his second season, but Evans could benefit from a fresh start elsewhere. He has the talent to play in the NFL but needs an opportunity to demonstrate.