Mike Evans Was Balling Last Year
April 18th, 2025
Money.
Teams knew he was getting the ball. And still defenses couldn’t stop Mike Evans.
You want to know the sign of a superior receiver? When a defense knows the guy is going to be targeted and it is helpless to shut him down.
And that’s just what Evans did last year. Handicapper turned stathead Warren Sharp crunched the numbers of when Evans returned to the lineup in Week 12 after missing four games with a bad hamstring.
How did Evans respond when needed by his team reeling from a four-game losing streak? He was dominant, notes Sharp.
Keeping his 1,000-yard streak intact, Evans took off when he returned to the lineup without [Chris] Godwin available.
Returning to the lineup in Week 12 from a hamstring injury, Evans was targeted on 29.7% of his routes with 3.05 yards per route run.
Only Puka Nacua (3.91) averaged more yards per route than Evans over that span.
Evans also had 5 touchdowns after his return.
Evans’ 5.3 catches per game last season was his most for a season since 2018, per Sharp, which was also Dirk Koetter’s final season.
So when the chips were down, the Bucs turned to the best receiver in franchise history. And Evans delivered, just like you would expect a Hall of Famer to do.
April 18th, 2025 at 5:06 am
Thank you for the Sharp Football analysis article. Interesting read, and they are correct about our draft position needs too.
Mike Evans is a “Hall of Famer” and deserves it all. Another great player that is underrated at times, but shouldn’t be. And Mike is the heart and soul of our team too. Go Bucs!
April 18th, 2025 at 6:02 am
I don’t know if anyone thought in their wildest dreams that Mike Evans would be an easy HOF candidate, let alone have such a long productive record-breaking career when he got here. This guy is still not done either. #GOA13D
April 18th, 2025 at 6:32 am
It’s a long season
He’s getting old
LB3 @19
April 18th, 2025 at 6:44 am
Mike is the EverReady Bunny, he just keeps going and going – to another 1K season this year. The only thing that will stop Mike is the hammy. Maybe the trainers and Mike will figure it out this year.
April 18th, 2025 at 6:58 am
Ask any guy in any secondary we faced if he did not scare the hell out of them. Only the Taints Honey Boo Boo would lie and say he didn’t.
Go Bucs!
April 18th, 2025 at 7:06 am
In some ways, that was the guttiest year of his career. It is such a great thing to watch him and Godwin.
I can’t wait to see them this season. Together again, ripping up defenses without blazing speed but enough to damage the DBs. Both fearless in coverage. Both willing to take a hit. Both humble. It is almost unbelievable that this team has two WRs who have such great attitudes.
April 18th, 2025 at 7:28 am
Chris and Mike are so good Jmac will be all alone and wide open
April 18th, 2025 at 7:29 am
extend him 2 more years, let him retire a Buc
April 18th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Mike Evans is a freak of nature like Derrick Henry.
Ridiculously long wing span. Year after year, the dude’s been unstoppable in the red zone. You can’t coach the “go-go-gadget” touchdown grabs.
Who leads the league in receiving TD’s since he came in the league. Mike Evans.
ME is the problem for other teams.
I think he is the exception at Wide Receiver and can play good ball to age 35.
April 18th, 2025 at 10:00 am
EXTEND THE MAN PLEASE
April 18th, 2025 at 10:19 am
Mike needs 3 seasons to get to into the Top 5 in Rec Yards and TDs.
That’s probably too long but one can hope.
April 18th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
nothing but love for his play and toughness
he’s been a monster through thick and thin with this team
April 19th, 2025 at 9:19 am
My favorite Buccaneer all time. I’ve seen every play Mike Evans has run in a Bucs uniform and I’m so grateful to have watched him play. I pray he plays another 5 years and his 1000 yard a season streak continues and he becomes one of the top 5 receivers all time. In my eyes he already is.