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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is one of the most underrated players of this generation. Quietly, Evans has put together a record ten consecutive 1000-yard seasons to start his career.
Only Jerry Rice has more 1000-yard seasons than Evans in an entire career. It’s rare a player like that gets to reach free agency while still being a productive player.
Many thought that Evans would take a step back last year after Tom Brady retired. Instead, he helped Baker Mayfield thrive. He caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns, tied for the most in the league with Tyreek Hill.
The Buccaneers, who drafted him all the way back in 2014, wanted to get a deal done. But, reports are that they’ve set an artificial deadline of Monday to get an extension done before free agency starts March 11.
So, who could sign Mike Evans and provide a huge boost to their passing game and red zone offense? Here are five teams that could be very interested in his services.
Kansas City Chiefs
Wait, the Kansas City Chiefs could get even better? Yes, and Mike Evans is the perfect guy to help them do that.
Shrewd cap management coupled with the team hitting on a ton of young defensive starters in the draft means that Kansas City does have money to spend this offseason. Wide receiver is a clear spot to upgrade, even though the first priority will be re-signing superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones. It seems like Mike Evans could be willing to take a small discount to play for the league’s best team and win another ring or two.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have needed high-end skill players for what seems like an eternity now. Half-measures simply have not got the job done, especially at wide receivers.
The team and new personnel decision maker Elliot Wolf have money to spend, and need to surround the rookie quarterback they’re likely to draft with an outstanding and reliable weapon. Mike Evans fits that definition perfectly.
Houston Texans
Anytime a team has a quarterback as good as CJ Stroud while he’s still on the rookie pay scale, they need to go all-in. That’s what Mike Evans would help them do.
Giving CJ Stroud yet another weapon alongside Tank Dell and Nico Collins would make them more than just a sleeper to win Super Bowl LIX.
The fact that Evans grew up in nearby Galveston could help the Texans here, as well.
New York Giants
Like the Patriots, it’s been too long since the New York Giants had a bona fide number-one target. They completely whiffed on Kenny Golladay, whose contract ended up being one of the worst in NFL history. Trying to hit on mid-round draft picks hasn’t worked either, and they need a huge talent upgrade.
That’s what Mike Evans would provide for the Giants. They do have some cap issues, but they could take the money they may pay Saquon Barkley and spend it on Mike Evans instead. If they plan on taking a quarterback early in April’s draft, it would be a brilliant move.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Yes, he will have plenty of suitors. But, re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a definite possibility.
Mike Evans has spent his entire ten-year career there, embedding himself in the community. Plus, things look much brighter in Tampa Bay than they did a year ago. Some of their cap problems have been alleviated, and Baker Mayfield helped guide them to the top of the NFC South. They won a playoff game, too, and should be the favorites in the NFC South again if both of those players return.