The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have a shortage of productive veterans on their roster with players like Lavonte David and Chris Godwin still playing at a very high level late into their careers.
Yet, one recent top 10 list created by Pro Football Focus named Bucs WR Mike Evans as one of the late-career players still performing at a high level entering the 2025 NFL season.
Mike Evans Continues to Dominate Into His Thirties
When Ryan Smith of PFF dropped a top 10 list of veteran players still playing at a high level entering the 2025 NFL season recently, it came as shock to very few people when Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans was named to this list.
Smith wrote, “Evans made history last season, tying Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons topping 1,000 receiving yards (11) despite missing time with a hamstring injury. He was elite in Tampa Bay’s wild-card playoff loss to the Commanders (91.8 overall grade), dominating longtime rival Marshon Lattimore. He caught all six targets thrown his way in the matchup for 84 yards and a touchdown while also drawing a defensive pass interference penalty.”
Evans was pivotal to the Bucs playoff push to secure their fourth straight NFC South crown even without Chris Godwin to attract some defensive attention away to finish the year.
Smith added, “Earlier this month, Evans commented that this year’s Buccaneers wide receiver room might be the best he’s been a part of in his career. He will be joined by fellow veteran standout Chris Godwin and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State atop the depth chart this season.”
The addition of first-round pick Emeka Egbuka to the WR room could slightly impact Evans’ production this year slightly, but it is hard to imagine the veteran receiver seeing any significant drop with how dominant he was against man coverage in 2024.
Lauren Gray of PFF wrote, “Evans caught 33 of 43 single-coverage targets for 401 yards, moving the chains on all but five of his receptions (28). His 76.7% catch rate against man coverage ranked first among players on this list. Evans also caught five touchdown passes, secured seven of 10 contested targets and produced a 134.0 passer rating when targeted.”
The fact Evans is still managing to win against man coverage at such a high rate into his thirties speaks to his sustained greatness over a long period of time.
Will Mike Evans Pass Jerry Rice for the Most Consecutive 1,000-Yard Receiving Seasons in NFL History in 2025?
Evans’ top priority is likely to win another Super Bowl before the end of his Hall of Fame career, but breaking a record held by Jerry Rice feels like another top priority for a veteran receiver who is on the doorstep of NFL history.
It took Evans all the way until the final drive of the final regular season game in 2024 for him to tie Rice last year with 11 consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards.
The addition of Egbuka may cause some concern, but health is likely the bigger factor for a 31-year-old player entering his 12th season in the NFL. Evans did miss four games last season while dealing with a hamstring injury, but has otherwise been a very durable player during his career.
The Bucs’ offense should be a very productive group this season, which should give Evans enough opportunities in a crowded Tampa Bay WR room to make NFL history in 2025.
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