The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers: Five guys worth sharing a foxhole with

By Alan Schechter

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 30: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers huddle during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 30: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers huddle during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium on November 30, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 20: Cornerback Steven Nelson
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 20: Cornerback Steven Nelson /

Mike Evans

When you talk about Mike Evans you are talking about a guy that has very quietly become one of the league’s elite wide receivers. He hasn’t made a lot of “noise” the way other guys do, sorry Odell Beckham Jr. Evans has done it each year simply by working hard. Early, when he had problems with dropping passes? He worked on it and fixed the problem. He has stopped at nothing to become Winston’s most trusted target.

In terms of trust, he was the most trusted target in the NFL, receiving 174 targets in 2016 to lead the league. In his WORST year (2014) he caught 68 passes for 1,051 yards. Oh yeah, he managed 12 touchdowns that year, the first of two seasons he hit that mark (2016). The big step in his receptions came in 2016 when he posted 96 receptions, good for sixth in the NFL. Evans is going to be great for a long time.

He joins me in the foxhole for his ability to get it all done. We know he’s a great receiver. However, he also sells out in the run blocking game. Per Pro Football Focus, Evans grade in run blocking last season was a 79.4, good for ninth in the NFL. To be an elite wide receiver and elite member of a TEAM, you have to do whatever that team needs. Mike Evans fits that bill so I would keep him by my side any time.

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