AFC Scouting Director: Mike Evans Is “Still A Threat”
January 24th, 2024
What’s his price tag?
It seems Mike Evans will have his fair share of suitors when the free agency dinner bell rings in less than two months unless the Bucs make an offer the greatest wide receiver in franchise history can’t refuse.
That is the word coming from long-time NFL beat guy and columnist Matt Lombardo. Typing for FanBuzz.com, the former Eagles and Cowboys reporter reached out to several league personnel folks for their feedback on Evans.
Simply put, personnel guys believe Evans remains a potential game-changer as he turns 31 in August.
“He is still a threat and very consistent performer,” an AFC Scouting Director told FanBuzz. “But, his long speed has diminished and that must be factored in.”
Another personnel guy in the NFC doesn’t see much of a slowdown for Evans.
“He’s still playing at a very high level,” an NFC Personnel Director told FanBuzz, on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about a player under contract with another team. “He hasn’t appeared to slow down at all.”
Lombardo also spoke with agents, one of which represents multiple top-shelf receivers. They told Lombardo that Evans would likely command $20 million a year and perhaps north of that.
As for teams likely lining up to talk to Evans’ representatives, Lombardo cited the Chiefs, Texans, Bears and Bengals as clubs that could be in play.
Joe has long thought Evans, if he leaves the Bucs, would be perfect for the Texans. Evans lives about an hour from Houston in Galveston and clearly the Texans are on the rise with C.J. Stroud throwing the rock.
Can you imagine how much Evans would help out Houston’s excellent stable of young receivers?
And with the Chiefs, well, turning down a chance to finish your career with Patrick Mahomes in his prime throwing to you would be really, really tough.
“This Joe” believes all bets are off with Baker Mayfield and Evans returning to the Bucs, pending what transpires with Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales. If the Stinking Panthers hire Canales, Joe honestly believes the chances that Evans and/or Mayfield return will drop.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:09 am
mike is probably not going to agree to any hometown deal until he sees what’s out there at this point…
he set himself up to shop around and shop around hard…
then circle back to the bucs and let them match the offers…
texas teams, the jets, and a few others are gonna offer money mike a key to the vault
January 24th, 2024 at 12:13 am
mike in the end can possibly wind up the number 2 receiver of all time, behind jerry rice, if he pulls a tom brady or a george blanda…
if he plays past 35 or to like 37 and can still be a threat or bulk up to become a big possession receiver/tight end type in his final couple of years, he will stack some serious numbers and move past larry fitzgerald
January 24th, 2024 at 12:16 am
He told them they had 1 week. They called his bluff.
I love Mike Evans but it would tickle me to see him stick to his word and punish this team for their stubbornness.
Bowles deserves nothing.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:27 am
He probably has a few more really good years left, most of the speed type receivers flame out at 30, his game is more wiley route running and contested catch. Would be hard to replace
January 24th, 2024 at 12:36 am
Wow… Ya think?!!
Geez!
Go Bucs!
January 24th, 2024 at 12:48 am
Fire Bowles and promote Canales. Franchise Mafield which will grease the signing of Evans. David , Winfield. Then go backto Mayfield and work out a multi year deal. It will happen. These guys want to play together. It is not complicated. Just do it.
January 24th, 2024 at 12:51 am
This is Mayfield’s team. After that it is Canalas’ team. It is not even close to done Bowels team. Never was. Never will be.
January 24th, 2024 at 1:04 am
I’d rather finish my career with Baker or CJ Stroud than Mahomes.
At this point in time, I think Mahomes is highly-overated.
I like Baker’s attitude/overall game, and arm better than Mahonkey’s.
Other than Mahomey still playing, Baker had a better year in almost every category this season.
January 24th, 2024 at 1:23 am
Packers worked a deal to move Aaron Rodgers and let their best WR Adams go to the Raiders and while this year’s Buc team beat them head-to-head in a match up who thinks the Bucs are set-up better for future success than the Pack??? I love AW Jr and if the Bucs work a deal to keep him GREAT, but successful franchises have values placed on positions and Safety isn’t a position you pay big contracts! If Baker Mayfield is the identity of your football team your team doesn’t have a identity! Lock up Wirfs long-term, use the resources to build the BEST Oline possible and Dline that can get pressure, bring in some physical RBs to compliment R White,and lastly role the dice on Kyle Trask giving him a chance to show he can give this franchise what Baker brought PLUS a higher ceiling. I know Jason Licht and the Glazers probably won’t make these moves cause it’s gonna be unpopular at first but if they don’t rebuild correctly the Bucs are going NOWHERE in the near future!! Sounds crazy but let Mayfield & Evans walk
January 24th, 2024 at 2:55 am
I don’t know, I was on the fence, but now that a ‘AFC Scouting Director’ says Evans is still a threat, I guess I’ll change my mind and I think the Bucs should now resign him.
January 24th, 2024 at 4:10 am
In full agreement that we could see Evans go to the Texans. Can you imagine Evans and Stroud together? Oh my!
Evans would be missed so much if that was to happen. I would love to see him stay.
January 24th, 2024 at 5:10 am
I think its a coin toss if Mike is back on the team and hope he is back.
I think ownership does not let Baker go anywhere and he will be back.
January 24th, 2024 at 5:48 am
See our schedule next year? Bucs could bring everyone back, and still be lucky to win 7,8 games. Maybe next season would be the time to tank. Roll with Trask, let Evans walk, fire Bowles come back fresh in 25.
January 24th, 2024 at 6:56 am
Think we all know by this time, 1,000 yds a season means a lot to Mike.
Given the # of OC’s he’s played for and QB’s throwing the ball, his consistency is remarkable.
He’s #32 all time in receiving yards. 3 more years of 1,000 yds + moves him into the top 6 or 7 all time and a couple more ‘healthy’ years puts him up with Fitzgerald.
CN he stomach another QB/OC change in Tampa? Idk.
Texans may be a real possibility.
January 24th, 2024 at 8:13 am
I hate talk about tanking. Why should they?
January 24th, 2024 at 8:59 am
Wow. This AFC scouting director is a real genius isn’t he. Who would have ever been able to figure out that Mike Evans is still a threat? Amazing.
Buffoons like him are getting paid. Wow.
January 24th, 2024 at 9:44 am
Tampa wants to compete again next year and win the division they gotta re sign Evans. He’s not slowing down at all yet
January 24th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Hopefully Evans will return next season but if he doesn’t my first round pick would be WR Coleman from FSU – 6’4″ – 220 lbs runs a 4.4 (40 yd) great hands.
He would be a nice replacement if necessary.
January 24th, 2024 at 10:47 am
It all depends on how much Mike is willing to take.
You do not break the bank on 31 yr old WRs.
You just don’t. Someone will probably do it.
The Bucs just aren’t in a position too. That’s ok.
January 24th, 2024 at 11:06 am
He surely is…and that is why I fully expect a “break the bank” kind of contract. Who in their right mind wouldn’t pay top dollar for Mike?
January 24th, 2024 at 11:09 am
Mike is great. But so is Levonte… and WinJr. And we surely need Baker. So how do we do it?
January 24th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
No rookie is going to replace Mike. Time for JL and team to work some contract / cap magic. Right after they fire Mr. Prolong the Obvious, Todd the Bloweszo.