Buccaneers pending free agent could make these 3 teams playoffs and Super Bowl contenders in 2024
The NFL free agency opens up on March 13th, 2024 for all 32 teams to negotiate and secure players in an attempt to propel their franchise to the playoffs next season. This offseason, one of the biggest names and best players to reach the open market is Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans. […]
The NFL free agency opens up on March 13th, 2024 for all 32 teams to negotiate and secure players in an attempt to propel their franchise to the playoffs next season. This offseason, one of the biggest names and best players to reach the open market is Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans.
Evans has been a stud since entering the league in 2014. His level of high-end receiver play screams one word, consistent. In his 10, soon-to-be 11-year career, Evans has eclipsed 1,000 yards in each of them. Did you know, Evans is tied with Hall-of-Fame WR Randy Moss for 2nd place with the most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (10)? Also, he is four seasons behind the goat Jerry Rice. That is an elite company to be mentioned with.
Despite all of the facts I have laid out for you, Evans remains one of the most underrated receivers in recent history with his level of success. Our own Evan Winter mentioned that in one of his recent tweets below.
Three teams that should aggressively target Mike Evans in free agency
Houston Texans
One year ago, the Houston Texans were preparing to make a quarterback selection with the second-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. That selection became C.J. Stroud and he helped command and lead this Texans team unexpectedly to the postseason. Fast forward to the present, the Texans have close to 51 million in effective cap space this offseason. They will have to pay breakout wide receiver Nico Collins, who is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2024 season.
Even with this in mind, adding a proven and potential hall-of-famer is never a bad idea. With this team's current cap projections, a trio of pass catchers of Evans, Collins, and the explosive Tank Dell sounds like a potential AFC Championship game-supporting cast for Stroud.
Chicago Bears
This selection may shock most people. But think about it, the Chicago Bears are third in the league with a projected effective cap of 54 million, which is more than enough to add the necessary pieces. Right above, I mentioned the one-year turnaround for the Texans. Why can't this happen with the Bears? It can.
First, they need to sign Evans to create an awesome trio with current star wide receiver D.J. Moore and tight end Cole Kmet. Next, trade Justin Fields for a day two draft pick, then use their first overall pick to draft USC QB Caleb Williams. Afterward, select the best player available with their ninth pick. This unit will be set up to battle with the Kings of the North (Detroit Lions) and potentially take their throne in 2024.
Tennessee Titans
Lastly, this team is not the ideal one acquisition away from the playoffs or Super Bowl candidate but anything is possible, right? With a projected 59 million in effective cap space, the Tennessee Titans can do some building this offseason. Second-year QB Will Levis showed his ability to push the football down the field in ways Ryan Tannehill could not. He had a strong rapport with veteran free agent signing DeAndre Hopkins. Why not return to the well that quenched your thirst the last time? Evans would give Levis another big-body receiver with an incredible catch radius to attack opposing defenses down the field and outside the numbers.
As a result, the Titans could focus their 2024 NFL Draft on rebuilding this porous offensive line to ensure Levis has the time he needs to type in the launch codes for those long bombs to Evans and D-Hop.
Final Word
End of the day, Mike Evans has been too good for too long not to garner plenty of attention during NFL free agency. If teams want to bolster their chances of making it to or further into the postseason, a signing of this caliber is a great way to start.
