Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans made history this season with his seventh straight 1,000-yard season. The argument amongst NFL fans and who the top receivers in the game has been going on for years. Some make their case with a season of work, some with a career, and some with historical numbers and achievements.
Watching your favorite wideout go against the opposing team’s number one cornerback is one of the things that make the game exciting. When you look at Mike Evans’ tape against single coverage, those one on one matchups, he’s been as dominant as any receiver in the game. So much so that, since 2018, he’s accumulated the most receiving yards against single coverage with 2,108 yards.
Most Rec Yards vs single coverage since 2018:
1. Mike Evans – 2108
2. Stefon Diggs – 2024
3. Davante Adams – 1974
4. DeAndre Hopkins – 1839 pic.twitter.com/cusbPUOY3X— PFF (@PFF) January 20, 2021
When the Buccaneers’ offense is hot and Evans is having those one on one matchups, he can easily take over the game. A lot of those yards are a testament of his physicality and size. His ability to catch contested and 50/50 balls is amongst the leagues best since he’s entered the league.
Mike Evans and the Buccaneers will look to continue their playoff dreams when they travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers for the right to play in the Super Bowl. Evans will likely face off against Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander who is, according to PFF, the best cover corner in the NFL. These are the matchups that make the playoffs so much fun. Who’ll have the better day? We’ll find out Sunday afternoon in the NFC Championship game.