Top Landing Spots for Mike Evans in NFL Free Agency if WR Leaves Buccaneers

Mike Evans isn't ready to call it a career, and he's willing to play for an NFL team other than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is a spicy storyline to follow for this offseason.

ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin talked to Evans' agents, who confirmed that he will play in his 13th season.

The 32-year-old eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 11 consecutive campaigns, but his streak came to an end last year. He caught 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns in eight games, missing significant time because of a hamstring injury, a concussion and a broken collarbone.

Tampa Bay may prefer to build around a young receiver group of Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson and Jalen McMillan alongside veteran Chris Godwin.

At this stage in Evans' career, he would probably prefer to sign with a playoff contender if it's not the Buccaneers. After an injury-riddled season with career-low receiving numbers across the board, the battle-tested veteran likely will not command a lucrative, long-term contract.

Still, clubs in need of a savvy receiver who can be a big target all over the field should check in with his agents. 

Here are the top landing spots for Evans in free agency if he moves on from Tampa Bay.

Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

Last offseason, the Baltimore Ravens signed DeAndre Hopkins, who was once a perennial Pro Bowler and is now in the latter stages of his career. He caught 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns on a one-year deal, and the 33-year-old will be a free agent in March.

Although Hopkins didn't move the needle much in another year of decline, Evans may have more left in the tank if he avoids injuries. Hopkins saw a significant drop-off in production between 2023 and 2024. In Evans' last four outings, he racked up 132 receiving yards in a game and scored touchdowns in consecutive outings. 

Because Rashod Bateman is coming off a down year in which he hauled in just 19 receptions for 224 yards and two touchdowns, Baltimore should look for veteran insurance to complement Zay Flowers, an undersized receiver with 14 touchdown receptions in 50 games.

The Ravens are projected to have more than $22 million in cap space, which would allow them to take a flier on a receiver who can fill a void in their passing attack.

Buffalo Bills

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

Buffalo Bills fans should get used to their team being linked to veteran wide receivers after Josh Allen's pass-catchers failed to bail him out of a turnover-ridden performance in a playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.

Allen took accountability for his miscues in defeat. Still, wideouts Brandin Cooks and Mecole Hardman could have changed the complexion of the game down the stretch. Both came up empty-handed on potential big plays.

Evans is an older receiver, but he didn't shrink in size. At 6'5", 231 pounds, the big-bodied pass-catcher can be a safety valve for Allen in the passing attack. Last season, Evans converted a first down on 23 of his 30 receptions.

Outside the white lines, Evans can mentor Keon Coleman, a taller receiver who lacks top-end speed but can use his size to high-point passes in traffic and box out defenders in the red zone. After two underwhelming campaigns, he may need an accomplished teammate of a similar size to help him develop his game.

Currently $12.3 million over the cap threshold, Buffalo would need to clear cap space to make room for Evans.

Houston Texans

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud

There are questions about C.J. Stroud after back-to-back underwhelming seasons as a passer. So, the Houston Texans may look to help him in any way possible before they consider signing him to a long-term extension.

The 2023 No. 2 overall pick can generate easier completions throwing to Evans on short-to-intermediate routes, especially if he needs to get the ball out of his hands quickly. Keep in mind that the Texans will enter the offseason with question marks along their offensive line. 

It's worth noting Houston has a young group of receivers behind Nico Collins. 

Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are entering their second term. Due to injuries, Tank Dell has played in 25 games over two seasons and is still recovering from multiple knee surgeries. At 25, Xavier Hutchinson is entering his fourth season, but he's been mostly a backup, catching 55 passes for 635 yards and three touchdowns in 49 contests.

With Evans, the Texans wouldn't have to rush Dell back to action to fill the No. 2 receiver role. He can also be an exemplary model for Higgins, a 6'4", 215-pounder who may have a long-term future with the team as a second-round pick from last year's draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot of work to do with their salary cap before they can sign Evans. The club is $54.9 million over the threshold, but it can clear $66.8 million by restructuring Patrick Mahomes' and Chris Jones' contracts. 

After general manager Brett Veach addresses the team's cap situation, Evans should be a potential free-agent target if he's on the market with modest contract demands. 

Although the Chiefs are coming off a 6-11 season, they are likely to bounce back if Mahomes goes through a smooth recovery from a torn ACL. 

In over a decade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans hasn't played with a quarterback in the same stratosphere as Mahomes in terms of playmaking ability, which may be the biggest draw for him to sign with Kansas City.

Evans may be more reliable than any receiver on the Chiefs' roster. Xavier Worthy is still trying to prove himself to be a go-to target. Rashee Rice has only played in 12 contests over the past two years due to injuries and a suspension. As a rookie last season, Jalen Royals caught two passes for four yards.

The Chiefs could lose veteran receivers Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ty Thornton in free agency. To restock the position, they may be interested in Evans, who can still move the chains on crucial downs.

San Francisco 49ers

AP Foto/Eakin Howard

San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy

On the verge of parting ways with Brandon Aiyuk, the San Francisco 49ers need receiver help. 

As a rookie, Ricky Pearsall missed time while recovering from a gunshot wound suffered in an attempted robbery, then missed additional games last season because of football-related injuries. He has appeared in 20 regular-season games.

Remember, Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are set to become free agents. At 32, tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles. Although he's optimistic about an early return, his age could affect his recovery timeline.

The 49ers should be aggressive in acquiring receiver talent, even if it means bargain-bin shopping for a veteran past his prime. Assuming Kittle misses some time, quarterback Brock Purdy will need a set of reliable hands in the passing game, other than running back Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield.

Evans can provide a veteran presence, and if he's willing to use his frame to block on the edge, it would be an added bonus for head coach Kyle Shanahan's rushing attack.

Team salary cap and player contract details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.