One of the last picks that the Los Angeles Rams made in the 2023 NFL Draft was the addition of depth in the running back room with Ole Miss’ Zach Evans. He was taken with the 215th overall pick and was one of three sixth-round picks made by the Rams.
The Rams, in fact, traded up to land Evans with the 215th pick. They received the pick from the Buffalo Bills, who originally acquired it from the Washington Commanders as part of many late-round trades that teams are involved in on draft day.
Evans led the SEC in yards per carry during the 2022 season with 6.5 and was a part of one of the best committee backfields in the nation last season. Now, he joins the Rams, and he’s especially thankful to have been part of a trade, according to Stu Jackson of theRams.com:
“It means a lot, man. I mean, it shows how much they believed in me,” Evans said after being selected. “I’m ready to get to work. I’m ready to give the team everything I’ve got. I’m ready to showcase my talents. I’m just real thankful to be here, real grateful.”
Evans spent his junior season at Ole Miss but actually was at TCU for his first two college campaigns. He was even more efficient there, averaging 7.7 and 7.0 yards per carry in his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively.
But more importantly, that gives him a connection to two other Rams draft choices: second-round pick OG Steve Avila and sixth-round CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, both of whom went to TCU as well.
“I actually did my draft training with them boys, so it’s meant to be,” Evans said. “A reunited thing. I’m excited to go out there, man. This is crazy.”
Avila is likely to be in contention to start at guard in his rookie year, meaning there is a real chance that he and Evans could build on the rapport they started at TCU. Having three draftees with that deep a connection is a rarity, and the Rams have to feel good about each of the selections.
Evans could have some impact in his rookie season as well. If he can bring the same explosiveness that he brought to TCU and Ole Miss, he could be a perfect complement to Cam Akers in the Rams backfield.
Stetson Bennett excited to learn
Another late-round draft pick by the Rams is Georgia national championship quarterback Stetson Bennett, who L.A. selected in the fourth round. Bennett is generally seen as a limited, low-ceiling quarterback, but he’s still ready to soak in whatever lessons he can from Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.
