A new story told by general manager Jason Licht revealed that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one draft-day trade away from missing out on the greatest offensive player in franchise history, Mike Evans.
The Buccaneers hosted a special event Tuesday to premiere the new 10-part Raise the Flags documentary in honor of the team’s 50th season. From Jon Gruden to Tom Brady, there was no shortage franchise legends on hand to celebrate the occasion.
Mike Evans was among the players in attendance, and Licht recalled the 2014 NFL Draft, his first as Buccaneers GM, and how it almost went very differently.
Mike Evans was close to being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2014 NFL Draft
Bucs GM Jason Licht said that the day of the 2014 NFL draft, an unnamed team had offered “a pretty good deal” to move up to No. 7. He considered it but had fallen in love with Mike Evans. He then said to Mike, “You’re welcome for not going to Cleveland.” (The Browns selected 8th)
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“Bucs GM Jason Licht said that the day of the 2014 NFL Draft, an unnamed team had offered ‘a pretty good deal’ to move up to No. 7. He considered it but had fallen in love with Mike Evans. He then said to Mike, ‘You’re welcome for not going to Cleveland’,” ESPN’s Jenna Laine posted on X.
If Tampa Bay had taken the anonymous trade offer to move down from No. 7 overall, Evans would have likely been drafted to Cleveland at No. 8 overall, based on Licht’s comments. The Browns drafted Evans’ college quarterback Johnny Manziel later in the first round, so their interest in keeping the duo together made sense.
While it’s intriguing to imagine Evans and Manziel teaming up in the NFL, it would have been a disaster for the Buccaneers. The team would have missed out on drafting the best offensive player in franchise history, and Tampa Bay’s history, and record books, would look very different without Evans.
Sometimes, the best deals are the ones that aren’t made. No matter what trade package the Bucs were offered for the No. 7 overall pick, it likely pales in comparison to the 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and 105 career receiving touchdowns Evans has produced — the ninth-most of all-time among NFL wide receivers — as well as the impact he’s had in both the locker room and the Tampa Bay community.
All parties involved can be grateful that Evans spent his prolific career wearing red and pewter, not orange and brown.
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