Mark Harris
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Unless you’re talking to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan about who the best wide receiver in the NFL is, Mike Evans’ name is very rarely mentioned. It’s been that way for much of his career, even with the four Pro Bowl nods he’s gotten since 2016, but he’s at the point now where he doesn’t exactly care and knows his own worth.
Speaking with ESPN during training camp, Evans acknowledged that there are plenty of great wideouts in the league, but he tops the list given how consistent he’s been over the course of his career.
“I know where I’m at,” Evans said. “My opinion matters more than anybody else because I watch all of these guys, and there are a lot of fu–ing great players. But I’ll take myself over anybody. If people were in my situation, there’s only 5-10 guys in history who have done what I’ve done. It’s been a battle, but I enjoy it.”
While Evans has been bitten by the injury bug a time or two since entering the league in 2014, he’s been incredibly consistent having picked up over 1,000 yards in each of his nine seasons. He’s also done so with, outside of Tom Brady, not-so-consistent quarterback play in Tampa Bay.
This upcoming season may be Evans’ toughest yet with the Bucs replacing Brady with either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask under center. Another 1,000-yard season, his 10th straight, would earn him plenty of attention in the discussion for greatest receiver in the league.
One thing is for certain, whoever is under center for Tampa Bay this season, they’ll be eyeing Evans as a crutch and a reliable target each time they take the field.
I think Mike Evans is one of the most underrated receivers of this generation. You hear all the press about all these other guys all the time, but Evans just goes out there every week and out duels whoever is put on him. He’s tough as nails, he appears to be a great team leader, he gets open or he simply outfights the defender and catches whatever is near him. Week in and week out. And let’s face it, the Bucs have not had a great run of QBs outside of Brady.
I got to watch Andre Reed in Buffalo years ago. Though Reed and Evans aren’t used in the same way, they were both tough as nails and always managed to get open and catch whatever came at them. Reed’s a Hall of Famer. Evans could very well be.
As a Bucs fan, have to agree. He’s clearly not the best WR in the league but dammit, he’s consistent. You really can’t ask much more of a WR than to produce 1,000+ yards each season.
And although outside of Brady, not great QB play. However, Jameis did a lot better than people will give credit. He threw a lot of picks but he was not a 3-and-out QB, which was the Bucs MO for decades. Dude threw for over 5,000 one year, lot of credit has to be given to Evens for that though. If Evans can keep up the pace for a few more years he’s a HOF receiver. 10+ 1,000 yard seasons and a SB.