Mike Evans just watched a top destination fly out the window and it helps the Buccaneers’ chances of keeping him
The Bills have tapped out of the Mike Evans race.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing to fight the NFL for Mike Evans’ services and both parties just watched one logical destination, that a lot of media had been speculating on, get crossed off the list.
The Buffalo Bills traded for (former) Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore on Thursday, thus fulfilling their quest to find a No. 1 wide receiver for Josh Allen. The Bears received the Bills’ second-rounder, No. 60 overall, and sent the No. 163 overall pick (5th round) along with Moore to Buffalo.
Josh Allen and the Bills would’ve been a great fit for Mike Evans
As mentioned above, the Bills were looking for a true No. 1 receiver after discovering the “everyone eats” approach just wasn’t good enough to help deliver the franchise’s first Super Bowl. Sure, Allen is one of those elite players that can put a team on his back and deliver high levels of success, but even the best need reliable help that can help take some of the load off and/or help him make up for other deficits elsewhere.
Evans is still a No. 1 receiver in terms of his ability and how he affects an offense. He’s a great route runner, a physical downfield threat, and also someone who can win the intermediate passing game. He would’ve boosted the Bills’ red zone offense –any red zone offense, really– and he consistently provides effective help in the run game by squaring up with his assignments.
What are some of the realistic options left for Mike Evans?
There are really only about two realistic spots remaining on the table for Evans when considering the main criteria he’s looking for in his next team:
- New England Patriots
- San Francisco 49ers
- Los Angeles Chargers
A team like the Philadelphia Eagles could come into play if they trade A.J. Brown, but they currently wouldn’t make sense. I almost put the Baltimore Ravens on here, but Zay Flowers has logged over 100 targets in each of his three NFL seasons, so Evans wouldn’t really be the No. 1 guy there.
Honestly, outside the Buccaneers, the 49ers makes the most sense. He’d be the featured receiver in that offense, especially if Jauan Jennings walks and even if he stays, it’d allow him to become more of a slot receiver, which is what he’s best at. Kyle Shanahan would certainly find all kinds of creative ways to utilize Evans and get him the ball.
The Chargers are certainly a wildcard in this situation. They are certainly a playoff team, but a Super Bowl contender? That’s not what I would call them, personally, but maybe Evans believes he could put them into that category if he joined forces.
One can’t rule out the Patriots, either. Drake Maye has arguably the best deep ball in the league and Evans can still kill defenses downfield.
Either way the Bills, who were a major threat, are officially off the table and the Buccaneers are one step closer to keeping the greatest receiver in franchise history.
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Signing Trey Hendrickson would essentially mean the end of Mike Evans’ time with the Buccaneers
There’s no way the Bucs can afford both in a logical sense.
