Michigan Football: Wolverines standing out in NFL mini-camps

While Michigan football waits for the start of fall camps, NFL teams have already begun their offseason programs. A few young Wolverines have already been turning heads around the league.

Chris Evans carving out a role in Cincinnati

Chris Evans is a player whose usage with Michigan football always frustrated me. He is so dynamic in space and as a receiver out of the backfield, however, the Wolverines could never seem to get him involved in the screen game.

It did not help matters that he was academically suspended for the 2019 season right as offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was installing an offense predicated on “speed in space” that you would think he would thrive in. However, those receiving skills have already earned Evans a fan in Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.

Despite falling to the sixth round in the NFL Draft, Evans may have landed in a perfect situation for him. The Bengals released running back Giovanni Benard after he refused to take a pay cut and he is now in Tampa.

Evans could fill his role as the pass-catching back in the Bengals offense behind Joe Mixon. However, Mixon only played in six games last season because of a foot injury and when he was on the field he only averaged 3.6 YPC. If he struggles again, Evans could see his role expand.

Late-round running backs emerging into starters and eventually stars is fairly common in the NFL. I went to the Senior Bowl this year and Evans was one of the standouts in practice all week. I would not be surprised if he emerges into the next late-round gem.

His former teammate now-turned AFC North rival also is carving out a role in Cleveland.