Mike Evans just got slapped with some big disrespect from his peers, and it could be a good thing for the 49ers in 2026
The Niners’ big offseason pick up should have an added chip in his shoulder this year.
Mike Evans has been one of the best players in the NFL year in, year out for over a decade regardless of position. Regardless of quarterback play in Tampa Bay, whether it was Tom Brady or Mike Glennon under center, Evans was a regular force that could be counted on every season.
However, Evans found himself on the wrong side of the NFL’s Top 100 Players list this year. The NFL posted on its X account the players who just missed the cut on Monday, and Evans ranked at No. 101, the first player out.
For one of the most consistent producers in NFL history, the snub from his peers raises serious questions about how short memories can be in the league.
Evans has been one of the best players in the NFL for years. He was a major factor in helping the Buccaneers reach and win their first Super Bowl in 18 years back in 2020. While some might debate it, Evans is likely going to end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day as well.
Evans’ move to San Francisco and his peers’ cold shoulder
Evans garnered plenty of attention this offseason when he spurned Tampa Bay to start a new chapter late in his career with the 49ers. San Francisco is considered among the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, making it a logical landing spot for Evans to choose to put a bow on his playing days.
That being said, Evans’ place among the NFL’s elite, at least in the minds of his peers, is no longer secure. The Top 100 list is voted on by the NFL players themselves, so this is as much of a direct indictment on where Evans stands in their eyes as anything else.
Oftentimes we see players drop in the voting a year after an off year or after an injury-plagued season. That part isn’t out of the ordinary, and Evans’ injury-shortened 2025 saw his streak of 1000-yard receiving seasons come to an end. However, Evans’ body of work should have earned him more consideration than it appears to have gotten from his fellow players around the league.
Added motivation heading into 2026
Evans heads into the 2026 season with plenty of motivation already. He’s looking to claim his second Super Bowl title and go out on a high note with a legitimate contender. The No. 101 ranking gives him an added spike of fuel for what could be another strong season.
Evans has been one of the best and most consistent players in the NFL, and it would be foolish to doubt that ability in his first season on the West Coast. A motivated Evans could be the piece Niners need to get back to the Super Bowl after a three-year hiatus.
