No. 3: Mike Evans
It’s only been three years, but Mike Evans is already one of the top receivers in franchise history. His numbers tell the story, but his ability to take over a game backs that story up. In the early part of his career, he has been dominant. From 2014 to 2016, he put up numbers along the lines of the best receivers in team history. He has 238 catches (12th), 3,578 yards (seventh) and 27 touchdowns (tied-fourth). The crazy thing is, he’s just getting started.
He is 1,440 yards away from first place in franchise history and with eight more touchdowns, he’ll claim the top spot. The former Texas A&M standout went over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons without a great deal of help from those around him. Yes, Vincent Jackson also put up 1,000 yards in Evans’ rookie year, but in 2015 and 2016, Evans was the No. 1 receiver by a wide margin. More often than not, opposing defenses knew the ball was going to him. Despite that, he still racked up great numbers and blossomed into one of the league’s best receivers.
As impressive as some others were in 2016, Evans was still the most legitimate threat on the Tampa Bay offense– by far. He ended the year with 96 catches, which is three more than the next three receivers had combined (not counting tight end Cameron Brate). Adam Humphries (55), Russell Shepard (23) and Vincent Jackson (15) combined for 93 catches. No. 13 is on pace to be the top receiver in team history and he’s only three years into his career. Starting this fall, he’ll have even more help around him with the additions of DeSean Jackson, O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin to the already-improving group that includes Brate and Humphries. If this list is re-written in two years, Evans may very well be No. 1.