The Tennessee Titans will see a new face in their backfield in 2020 after drafting running back Darrynton Evans to play behind Derrick Henry, who won the NFL’s rushing title in 2019.
While those two are locks to be on the roster going into the regular season, there are still some questions left to be answered, and both Evans and Henry have things to work on in training camp.
Let’s take a look at those running backs who are roster locks and those that are on the bubble, and then we’ll make a prediction for how things will shake out for the 53-man roster.
Roster locks
Derrick Henry (Starter)
Darrynton Evans (Backup)
Analysis for Henry: As long as the Alabama product can continue running defenders over and picking up chunk yards like he did last season, he’s going to have a successful 2020 campaign.
However, the Titans would love to see Henry improve as a pass-catcher, which is an area he has struggled at in the past. It also didn’t help that Tennessee’s screen game was a complete mess in 2019.
Expect to see an emphasis on passing Henry the rock in camp, as it would serve the offense well to get the ball into the hands of its best play-maker in a variety of ways, especially when he’s in space.
Analysis for Evans: While the Titans’ 2020 third-round pick will certainly be on the roster, the amount of snaps and touches he gets will depend upon how he shows during training camp and the preseason.
If he’s slow to develop overall, the Titans might be forced to carry an extra back on top Henry, Evans, and quite possibly fullback Khari Blasingame.
We already know that Evans is an explosive back with great speed, and he has shown he has the chops to be an effective pass-catcher, also. What we don’t know is how he’ll hold up in pass protection, which is important if he wants to assume the third-down role that Dion Lewis vacated.
On top of trying to secure trust to with coaches in order to dominate the snaps and touches behind Henry, Evans will likely get a look as a return man after proving to be an impact player in that area with a kick return average of 25.7 yards and three scores in three seasons at Appalachian State.
On the bubble
Khari Blasingame (FB)
Dalyn Dawkins
Senorise Perry
Shaun Wilson
Cameron Scarlett
Analysis for Blasingame: While I think the Vanderbilt product is likely to make the roster given his duties as a fullback and the success he had last season, saying he’s a lock is a bit premature.
However, if Evans falters in camp, it’s possible another back is added to that mix, which could lead to Blasingame being the odd man if the Titans don’t want to carry four backs. The good news for Blasingame is that Tennessee carried four backs on their initial 53-man roster in 2019.
Analysis for bubble RBs: There isn’t a ton of experience at the bottom of the Titans’ current running back depth chart going into camp.
Perry, Wilson and Dawkins have played a combined total of 77 offensive snaps during their NFL careers. Scarlett is fresh out of college and was signed as a UDFA following the 2020 NFL Draft.
If the Titans decide to carry one more traditional running back on top of Henry and Evans, both Dawkins and Perry are the favorites to make the cut.
Tennessee is already familiar with what Dawkins can do now that he’s been with the organization for two years, and Perry offers versatility as a returner, which will no doubt help his case.
Wilson and Scarlett are going to have to really show out if they’re going to overcome what seems like insurmountable odds to make the roster out of camp. Their best bet to stay with the Titans will come through the practice squad.
Initial 53-man roster prediction for RB
Here’s our prediction for how things will shake out for the running back position after training camp and the preseason conclude.
| RB1 | Derrick Henry |
| RB2 | Darrynton Evans |
| RB3/FB | Khari Blasingame |
While the Titans carried four backs into the regular season in 2019, they ended up with just three on the roster at the end of the campaign in Henry, Lewis and Blasingame. I think that will be the approach to start 2020 as long as Evans doesn’t struggle in camp.
With Henry soaking up so many touches and Evans being a capable player behind him, there’s no need to carry another running back. A run-heavy team like the Titans would be better served carrying an extra blocker like Blasingame and saving the roster spot for another position.
If I’m wrong, I could see the Titans carrying Perry on the roster as a third running back due to his ability to be a returner, also.
