Evans a low-end WR2 for 49ers next season
Matthew Berry reacts to Mike Evans signing with the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year deal and what production he can have in that offense as well as how this changes the Tampa Bay receiving core in 2026.
Video Transcript
When I wrote my, NFL Combine rumors column over a week ago on nbcsports.com and rotoworld.com, one of the things I said is like, "Mike Evans is not going back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I know you're reading a lot of stuff that says he might.
He's not.
They're just not gonna be able to afford him."
And that ended up coming true today as the deal has been reached where he will join the San Francisco 49ers.
Look, Tampa Bay, and we're gonna get to their wide receiver room here in a second, just as much as they love Mike Evans, they just couldn't afford him.
It didn't make any sense given what Evans could get on the open market and what Tampa Bay has there.
Let's talk about Evans and San Francisco.
I think this is a great move.
Yes, he needs to stay healthy.
Yes, he's like thirty-three.
But think about Davante Adams last year with the Rams.
I could see Evans having a similar kind of season this year with San Francisco, where it's not a massive yardage year, but he's a big red zone threat.
He's a big touchdown maker for the San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy, especially when you think about George Kittle coming off the Achilles.
So big body that you get in the red zone, somebody that you know you can trust when you get in close.
I think Brock Purdy's gonna love, absolutely love having big Mike Evans to throw to, especially when you think about, okay, Kittle off the Achilles.
Ricky Pearsall, kind of unproven.
Kendrick Bourne's now in Arizona.
You sort of figure, like, does Jauan Jennings come back?
I don't know.
We know Brandon Aiyuk isn't coming back, so feels like a massive target share is coming here for Mike Evans, at least when you get in close in, in, in the, the area of the field that us in the world of fantasy football care about.
I think he's, you know, I think he's a low-end wide receiver too next year.
I think he's in the eighteen to twenty-two range.
Again, needs to stay healthy, but should be a very productive year and a great landing spot for Mike Evans.
Now let's talk about Tampa Bay.
Chris Godwin and Amon-Ra St. Brown, they're the top of the, the heap right there.
But I also think Jalen McMillan suddenly s- interesting as a sleeper.
How about Tez Johnson, who flashed some last year as well?
So really nice, wide receiver room, and especially with Evans gone, I think you'll see, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson all take steps forward.
You know, we know what Godwin is.
Another year removed from the injury, he should have a strong year as well.
So ultimately, sad to see Evans no longer in a Buccaneers uniform, but I think fantasy-wise, this is good for everyone involved.
