Road to WR1: Mike Evans

With 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons in his decorated career, Mike Evans has quietly been arguably the most consistent receiver in the NFL. During his time in Tampa Bay, Evans has routinely been an elite fantasy option but has never been able to finish as the overall WR1.

Many expected a dip in production from Evans in 2023 without Tom Brady under center but a surprise year from Baker Mayfield raised his ceiling to finish as the WR4 in standard leagues. Mayfield's career year led to him earning a contract extension during the offseason, making him Evans' quarterback for the foreseeable future.

The idea of Mayfield as the quarterback is not as appetizing as Brady or even Jameis Winston but Evans' 1,255 receiving yards in 2023 were the second most of his career. His 136 targets and 79 receptions were also the most he saw since 2018, surpassing any of the years he played with Brady.

On top of the encouraging target share and yard total, Evans recorded 13 touchdowns in 2023 after notching just six in 2022.

How Mike Evans can become the fantasy WR1

During the three years Evans played with Tom Brady at the helm, he was often stuck as the third option in the passing game despite being arguably the most talented receiver on the roster. Slot receiver Chris Godwin played more into Brady's preferred style and veteran Antonio Brown often had more chemistry with the quarterback with the two being close friends off the field.

Everything took a turn for Evans in 2023 just as some began to wonder how much he had left in the tank at 30 years old. His 136 targets slightly edged out Godwin's 130 to lead the team but together the duo accounted for a whopping 48 percent of the team's total. As a quarterback not known for taking many risks, Mayfield was expectedly reliant on his star tandem.

With Mayfield back, nothing much should change with Evans' usage. However, head coach Todd Bowles will bring in Liam Coen to serve as the offensive coordinator in 2023, whose modest offensive system has yet to land him a consistent job. While Coen has never had a wideout see noteworthy success in his offense, Evans will be the best talent he will have by a wide margin.

The Tampa Bay offense will be needed much more in 2024 with their defense taking a hit in the offseason. Most of their starting lineup will return but the team lost top cornerback Carlton Davis and inside linebacker Devin White. Whether the team wants to or not, their defensive liability will likely cause them to run a pass-heavy offense while playing from behind.

Throughout his lengthy career, Evans' lack of receptions compared to some of his peers has held him back from WR1 status. He has never been a volume receiver but even with his YAC and big play potential will presumably need to increase his reception total to break through.

Tampa Bay won the NFC South in 2023 with a 9-8 record but with New Orleans and Atlanta both improving over the offseason, the path back to the top will not be as smooth. Evans will be relied on potentially more than ever before, making him a legitimate threat to top all receivers in 2024.