When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Mike Evans with the 7th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, everyone expected great things from the 6’5″ receiver from Texas A&M. But, honestly, I don’t believe anyone could imagine the success that he has had so far.
Evans made his presence known right from the beginning of his rookie campaign, totaling 12 touchdowns and 1,051 yards on 68 receptions. The 12 touchdowns set a Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise record for receiving TD’s in a single season. His second season, although the touchdowns went down as he only scored 3 times, all other receiving numbers went up with 1,206 yards on 74 receptions. Those numbers may have been even greater had Evans not struggled with a few drops, which he vowed to work on in the offseason, and it has shown this year.
Now, in his third year as a Buccaneer, Evans is looking and playing better than ever. Through 6 games he has 40 receptions for 545 yards and 6 touchdowns. His 6 touchdowns put him in a tie for first with Michael Crabtree, who the Bucs happen to be playing against this week. Also, through the 36 games he has played so far in his career, he is already 8th on the All-Time Buccaneers receiving touchdowns list with 21 total. Just 13 behind Jimmie Giles who had 34 in his career with the Bucs.
When the Raiders come to town this Sunday, they’ll be bringing their 32nd ranked pass defense with them and that bodes very well for Evans and the Bucs offense. If the Bucs can keep their momentum going in this game, look for Evans to add to that career touchdown total, not once, not twice, but maybe three times this Sunday in another victory for our Tampa Bay Buccaneers!!
