Will Mike Evans land in Canton?
By: Jake Rajala
The 6’5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is one of the most consistent WRs in NFL history. He has 11 consecutive seasons of 1k yard seasons. This ties with the mythical 49ers legend, Jerry Rice, for the most consecutive 1k yard seasons. Evans may not bring home another 1k yard season, as he has only played in four games this season. This also means he won’t have a third straight season of 10+ touchdowns. At least he has also has had six seasons of at least 10 touchdowns.
Evans has made five Pro Bowls in his career up to this point. I don’t believe it’s time to pack it in for Evans. He is playing with Baker Mayfield, who is an underrated MVP candidate. He is 11th in passing yards, as it stands. Let it be known that Evans dominated early in his career with a QB by the name of Jameis Winston, who was arguably a bottom of the shelf QB.
With that said, a pivotal question surrounds Evans: is he a future Hall of Famer?
I have to say that he deserves to not only be a Hall of Famer, but a first a ballot HOFer. Not only has he been a stat machine, but he has won a Super Bowl. If Tom Brady was a few years younger, Evans could have won numerous Lombardi trophies.
The only drawback on Evans’s career is that he has struggled against former Saint Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore erased Evans, as they also fought after the play.
Evans will likely play a couple of more seasons, given that he is coming off two straight Pro Bowls. Plus, he has a true franchise QB in Baker. I can’t imagine him retiring right now. If the Bucs win their division and win a couple of playoff games, expect Evans to return. I can’t expect the Saints, Panthers, or Falcons to make a huge dividend in the NFC South. I don’t believe that’s an overly bold statement, even if the Panthers beat the Packers.
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