Mike Evans’ Receiving Yards Likely To Increase?

June 26th, 2023

Better without Tom Brady?

Some Bucs fans confess that no Tom Brady this year could end Mike Evans’ NFL-record, career-opening streak of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Outside of Evans’ rookie season, he’s always had a quarterback who threw for a lot of yards. Baker Mayfield has never eclipsed 4,000 yards in a season.

However, noted handicapper Warren Sharp’s research shows Evans just may have a more productive season this fall than in his last with Brady in 2022.

Evans was targeted on 20.1% of his routes last season, which was 48th among all wide receivers to run 100 or more pass routes. His 1.75 yards per route run ranked 35th among the same group.

Joe remembers folks not understanding how Evans and Brady didn’t hook up for more touchdowns last season. Evans is a monster in the red zone, or at least he should be. Why did Brady seemingly not trust him all of a sudden? Evans had 14 red zone targets last year, down from 23 during the 2021 regular season.

Sure, Evans could play for a much lesser quarterback and still get 1,000 yards. It’s not so much about who is throwing the ball to Evans, but how many times it’s thrown his way.

Another interesting element: Evans’ overall targets were often fewer annually with Brady than they were with Mr. Entertainment, Jameis Winston.

20 Responses to “Mike Evans’ Receiving Yards Likely To Increase?”

  1. Crickett Baker Says:

    IDK. He seemed to miss more last year than I felt he could have caught. He seemed (to me, and I hate to say it) that he was playing somewhat lackluster. Actually, the whole team felt like that to me in several of the games. I think Canales has ignited some excitement in the offense which was surely needed if so. He is excited, for sure, and it may very well rub off on our players.
    Aug. 11th can’t come soon enough. Even though it will be very early for the team to gel, we should learn a lot in the first couple of preseason games.

  2. Leopold Stotch Says:

    Wasn’t Evans running an absolutely abhorrent amount of Go routes all last year? That I feel helps explain why they weren’t connecting as much… In regards to the redzone, no freaking clue. ’20/’21 I could have made bank betting on fade touchdowns from Brady to Evans, Dallas game last year looked more of the same. Even through the year I kept saying in my head, here it comes and constantly being disappointed.

    Anyway, I agree with Joe. He played with McCown and Glennon his rookie year, the man can produce with anyone. I’m not worried about who is throwing him the ball. I just want him to get the opportunities to continue his steak. Death. Taxes. Mike Evans getting 1k receiving yards.

  3. TampaBayBucsFanSince1976 Says:

    When JW was QB Evans coonected almost every game on a 20 yard back shoulder throw down the sidelines when Evan was feinting a go route and that is easy low hanging fruit for a WR with Evans size and physicality , bring that route back in abundance Mr. Canales. ME is always open , just throw him the damn ball.

  4. All_da_way Says:

    In the new offense Evans is going to run a lot more diverse routes which will open up opportunities. Expect to see some favorable mismatches.

  5. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    When you dump the ball off to Lenny & Rachaad…..Evans isn’t going to have a chance……Move the chains!!1

  6. Dooley Says:

    Our offense wasted a ton of time last season. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can be with the youth movement in all phases.

  7. Brandon Says:

    Considering Mike is a great deep and intermediate threat and Brady would refuse to throw deep or intermediate for the first three quarters of every game, it’s shocking that Evans had 500 yards last season. Brady did him no favors.

  8. NutterBuccer Says:

    BYRON LEFTWICH…..END OF STORY…doesn’t excuse brady from not throwing to Mike more but damn. The panthers game was a must win and it seemed the game plan was feed Mike the ball and what do you know, had one of his best games ever. I really hope Evans thrives under Canales as Offensive Coordinator and puts up a huge season. I care about wins but evans deserves a monster season to get an all pro nod under his belt just as much as LVD does year in and year out.

  9. Letsbucinggo Says:

    With Traskfield at QB Bwahwahwahwah!

  10. Bucnjim Says:

    Defenses tried to take Evans out of the game rolling coverage to his side. Without creative play calls and motion, it was very hard to get him the ball. JW would force the ball to him and cause many interceptions. This is where an excellent OC would really help out with mismatches.

  11. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I sure hope that Evans becomes Canale’s DK Metcalf. Yes, Metcalf is faster than Evans, but Evans has a knack for catching nearly every ball thrown his way, and coming down with difficult catches.
    I sure hope that Mayfield and Mike develop some Chemistry this season.

  12. A Bucs Fan Says:

    Yes he could have a career year. He was open all last season but Brady didn’t have time to throw the ball deep to him.

  13. Just Leave Trask Alone Says:

    I’m sure with Mayfield’s 170 PYPG Evans will get his 1000 yards this season.

    It’s a lock.

  14. SlyPirate Says:

    Imagine your Baker Mayfield.
    Your career 100% depends on what you do this year.
    You’re going to throw at Evans and Godwin because you’re not going to let some unknown be the reason you failed.

  15. Boss Says:

    of course they will. the goat is gone and he does not throw jump balls. I expect a lot of jump balls thrown his way….and a lot of picks.

    may as well bring jw back

  16. Aaron Says:

    It takes Evan’s an extra click to get open…time Brady wasn’t prepared to take…Plus, Brady’s just not going to throw into double coverage. Traskfield won’t have that issue. So I agree Evans could be in for a big year.

    Go Bucs!!

  17. Aleyz2020 Says:

    Mike will do just fine as long as “The anointed one” his his target consistently.

  18. Just Leave Trask Alone Says:

    Baker doesn’t throw for enough yards. The streak ends this year.

  19. unbelievable Says:

    Evans had that wide open TD pass drop in the beginning of a game against… Caronlina I believe? (first time we played them).

    And he did seem like he was in a bit of a funk for a few weeks after that.

    But Halfwit also had him running go routes more than ever, with an o-line that couldn’t block and a 45 yo QB who wasn’t gonna take a hit to launch those deep shots over and over.

    Made no sense. Fortunately for us, I think Canales will be an upgrade over Halfwit. Let’s just hope Baker or Trask can actually throw the ball…

  20. garro Says:

    That is exactly what I’m concerned about with what I hear from Canales.
    Although an upgrade from Leftnut. He sounds more and more like a used car salesman.
    Add to that that he stated he was gonna have both Godwin and Mike catching more short passes.
    This has Bowles Ball written all over it. Rest the Defense!
    Go Bucs!