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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6 Mike Evans statistics from 2018 that drop jaws

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 24, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 24, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a pass in front of cornerback Eli Apple #24 of the New York Giants for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hauls in a pass in front of cornerback Eli Apple #24 of the New York Giants for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game on October 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Third in contested catch rate in 2018

On a minimum of 20 contested targets, Evans finished third in the league according to PFF (subscription required) in bringing in contested catch attempts thrown their way. Evans finished just behind Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs in 2018 in converting contested catches at a rate of 61%.

PFF defines contested catches as the passes were the receiver has about a 50-50 shot at making the reception as he is battling the defensive back. Clearly a strength of Evans’ as he has the size to move defenders off the ball, it is not much of a shock to see him land so high on this list.

"“His overall grade of 84.3 last season was good for 13th-best at the position, and a lot of that was thanks to him bringing in 16 of his 26 contested targets. There’s good reason for Jameis Winston to have faith in the five-year veteran out of Texas A&M heading into next year” (Ben Linsey via PFF)."

Good reason indeed; contested catches, balls in tight windows, deep down the field, or outside the numbers, Evans has proven to make plays and bail out what has been below average quarterback play over the last two seasons. It would be wise for Winston to lean heavily on Evans as he hopes to sort out the mental side of the game and learns a new offensive system.

Fun fact, Evans’ running-mate in Tampa Bay Chris Godwin also rounded out the top-ten on this list by converting 52% of catches that were contested. The Buccaneers have a fantastic one-two punch heading into 2019 at the receiver position this season.

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