Since Mike Evans was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 7 overall in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, he's been one of the league's most consistent, productive receivers. But despite some prolific, unprecedented numbers year after year, his near 11-year career still has a feeling of being underrated.
Evans should get more attention as not only one of the great wide receivers of this era, but one of the best all-time. Here's looking at why his stats stand out so much and exploring whether they add up to making him a surefire Pro Football Hall of Famer when he retires in not-too-distant future:
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The case for Mike Evans getting into the Hall of Fame
Evans did something no other wide receiver in the history of the NFL by starting his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He's headed to make it 11 in a row in 2024. His 12,2429 yards going into Week 16's game against the Cowboys puts him 24th all time, with only DeAndre Hopkins having more among his active peers.
Evans also has five seasons with 10 or more TDs. His total of 103 puts him No. 9 all-time in that list, two ahead of Davante Adams. Most everyone above or around him in either receiving yardage or TDs are or will be in the Hall of Fame.
He also has starred for multiple QBs and was for a short-time the go-to guy for the GOAT, Tom Brady. Evans' association with Brady on the Bucs also helped him earn his Super Bowl. ring. Evans has made five Pro Bowls and is esteemed as one of the best off-field contributors in the NFL as an important figure in the Tampa community as a consistent top candidate for Walter Payton Man of the Year.
The case against Mike Evans getting into the Hall of Fame
There's not much here. He's never made a first-team All-Pro, just having two second-team mentions. Despite the yardage and touchdowns, he's only tied for 38th all-time with 814 receptions.
Plagued by some drops earlier in his career, his catch rate is rather low, hauling in 58.1 percent of his targets. He averages 15.3 yards per catch as a dangerous big-play threat, but he tends to be boom or bust from game to game, with monster efforts offsetting some coverage-related disappearing acts. He also has yet to have a 100-reception season. Despite his overall production, no one has given Evans the mantle of "best wide receiver in the NFL" in any season.
But could other such accomplished wide receivers be nitpicked for what they haven't done as well in their careers? Yes. These kind of anti-narratives are also what give Evans "still one of the NFL's most underrated receivers' label.
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Is Mike Evans a Hall of Famer?
Evans checks all the important boxes and his career will be greater appreciated later once he's retired. It's not easy to be available and durable for a wide receiver and Evans, battling a lot of hamstring woes, has had a knack for quick recoveries even when he misses a handful of games.
Evans staying on the field to be a reliable home-run and red zone threat for so long is unique for a reason. Evans should be in Canton; the only question is whether he can get the first-ballot honor he also deserves.
