NFL personnel show a lot more respect for Mike Evans than many outside fans and talking heads in latest poll
Mike Evans, it appears, has at least managed to develop a respect from those around the league in front offices as still one of the very best at his position. That's certainly more that can be said than those in the stands of stadiums of stadiums not named Raymond James and many television studios and […]
Mike Evans, it appears, has at least managed to develop a respect from those around the league in front offices as still one of the very best at his position. That's certainly more that can be said than those in the stands of stadiums of stadiums not named Raymond James and many television studios and press boxes as well.
Evans checked in at #8 on ESPN's list of top 10 wide receivers in the NFL, which is compiled of votes and feedback from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts from around the league.
ESPN had this to say of Evans:
"Evans' fall to honorable mention last season turned out to be an aberration. In 2023, Evans posted his fourth career season of 1,200-plus yards and led the NFL in touchdowns with 13.
'He still commands a double-team, he still can bully corners at the line of scrimmage or downfield, still makes tough catches,' an NFL personnel man said. 'He's been atop the Bucs' game plan on who to stop for a decade.'
Evans' nine drops were less than ideal, but he does just about everything else well, from red zone efficiency to physical plays on go balls.
The Bucs did a good job managing Evans' workload to keep him fresh. He played 78.2% of Tampa's snaps (863), less than receiving mate Chris Godwin (892).
'He's been one of the most consistent players of the last decade, with uneven quarterback play,' an AFC scout said."
It's kind of wild that Evans – who re-signed with the Bucs on a two-year deal back in March – dropped to honorable mention in last year's pre-camp poll, but the way the Bucs' 2022 seasons went could have had something to do with that. His 2022 numbers saw in increase over the previous two seasons in catches (77) and yards (1124), but a drop in touchdowns from 13 and 14 the previous two seasons to 6. The Bucs' offense also was disjointed and struggled in Tom Brady's final season.
However, Evans had a big year for Tampa Bay in 2023. He led had his most catches (79) and receiving yards (1255) since 2018, and his 13 receiving touchdowns were tied for the league lead with Tyreek Hill.
It appears those around the league took notice of the second-team All-Pro's increased production this time around.
It's also worth noting that Chris Godwin's name was nowhere to be found among even the "those receiving votes" section, which is pretty surprising.
But as general manager Jason Licht has mentioned before, they relish the underdog and/or disrespected position. We'll see if Evans can produce another memorable year in 2024 – and if Godwin can turn some heads from some of those talent evaluators around the league this season.
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