NASHVILLE – Derrick Henry has his own job to do, and it will be a big one once again in 2020.
But the Titans running back will have a new sidekick this fall, and Henry said he's ready to help him.
The Titans drafted Appalachian State's Darrynton Evans in the third round of the NFL Draft. Evans will replace Dion Lewis, Henry's back-up the past two seasons who is now with the Giants.
"He's talented," Henry said of Evans. "He's smart. He's very attentive to detail when he's in meetings and carrying it over to walkthroughs and things like that. Each and every day he wants to grow as a player.
"I'm here to help him and excited for those opportunities."
Evans (5-10, 205) posted 4,642 all-purpose yards at Appalachian State, with 34 career touchdowns. In 2019, Evans produced 2,064 all-purpose yards with 1,480 rushing, 198 as a receiver and 386 on kickoff returns.
The speedster also ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which was second among all running backs. Evans said he was once clocked at a 4.36 while on campus at Appalachian State.
A year ago, Henry led the Titans with 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns on 303 carries while also catching 18 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.
Lewis carried the ball 54 times for 209 yards a year ago, along with 25 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown.
It remains to be seen what kind of role Evans will have this fall. Titans coach Mike Vrabel has said on numerous occasions it depends on how much the rookie can handle.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and tight end Jonnu Smith spent some time with Evans in South Florida this offseason, so they have an idea about what he can do.
Evans hit the field with the rookies and quarterbacks over the weekend, and the entire team will be on the field at Saint Thomas Sports Park later this week.
"Darrynton Evans is a very, very fascinating player," Smith said of Evans. "Athletic as he can be, as quick as he can be, he's going to be a great addition to this offense and I know we're going to find ways to give him the ball, help use him and help us win some games."
Tannehill, who threw passes to Evans during the workouts, raved about his ability as a pass catcher.
"Just a talented guy," Tannehill said of Evans. "He's very explosive, very fast. Catching the football, really natural. When you see a running back catch the ball naturally, whether they're coming out of the backfield or split out wide, it definitely adds another element to the offense and can give defenses a hard time. Really excited about having Darrynton with us."
The Titans select Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans in third round (93rd overall) of 2020 NFL Draft. (AP Photos)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs the ball against UAB during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas (12) hands the ball off to running back Darrynton Evans (3) during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game against UAB in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State takes on USC in football action at the Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, November 09, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina.
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Mike Evans (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State takes on Charlotte in non-conference college football action at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday, September 07, 2019 in Boone, North Carolina.
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3), raises the MVP award following tehir 45-38 win over Louisiana-Lafayette at an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) evades Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Percy Butler (16) as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) evades Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Percy Butler (16) as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) takes the handoff from quarterback Zac Thomas (12) and runs for his second touchdown of the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State players, from left, defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles (8), running back Darrynton Evans (3), linebacker Jordan Fehr (59), defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor (48) and running back Daetrich Harrington (4) celebrate on stage following their 45-38 win over Louisiana-Lafayette in an NCAA college football game for the Sun Belt Football Championship, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) evades Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Percy Butler (16) as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) evades Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Percy Butler (16) as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) receives the MVP trophy after his team's 31-17 victory over UAB in the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans (3) evades Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Percy Butler (16) as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in the Sun Belt Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Boone, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian St. running back Darrynton Evans runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans catches the ball during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Appalachian St. running back Darrynton Evans runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans participates in a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Appalachian St. running back Darrynton Evans runs a drill during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
