Mike Evans dilemma

[Indyfan1985]

I know it's only week 1, but it was very concerning to see Mike Evans, a player I view as the most talented pass catcher in Tampa, treated as the 4th option in the passing game against the Cowboys. Godwin, AB, and Gronk all were targeted much more so than Evans was.

Is it simply a lack of chemistry between Brady and Evans? I think as an owner, it may be best to try and deal him to another contender once he strings together a few strong games so his value goes up.

[Gator Sens]

I still think Evans is a solid option but I said it all offseason, if Godwin is healthy his skill set fits Brady much better. Evans value us extremely volatile because of his ups and downs and it comes down to what you can get for him. Based on yearly production, a 1st + another solid piece is a fair ask but unlikely.

[Dibbles]

Agreed his usage last year and in week 1 was concerning and as an owner I will also be looking to sell on next upswing, hopefully a 2 TD game sometime here soon. I will say Dallas game was very bad situation for him, as AB and Gronk (and even Godwin) had VERY favorable matchups - so TB was smart to attack those options and utilize Evans as a decoy. He’s a stud and likely has 2-3 more good years in him but Brady just generally doesnt favor him (Brady favors more surefire completions and ball control versus 50/50 balls) - and viable Tampa pass catchers are a plenty, leaving scraps for Evans. For a contender, I just dont see him as being more than a depth piece for a spot start in a pinch. Sell when time is right, as hard as it will be to let him go.

[abloom]

I don't think it's a lack of chemistry. I think it's Evans being the best WR on the field and defenses taking him away. He often gets the best CB on him and/or is double teamed.

When Jameis was there it didn't matter. Jameis would throw it into good coverage and that's why he went 30/30. Brady on the other hand looks at the defense and goes, okay you're going to take Evans away, I'll just go somewhere else.

Evans will get his weeks, and AB, Godwin, and Gronk will have poor weeks.

[jetsfan5757]

I don't think it's a lack of chemistry. I think it's Evans being the best WR on the field and defenses taking him away. He often gets the best CB on him and/or is double teamed.

When Jameis was there it didn't matter. Jameis would throw it into good coverage and that's why he went 30/30. Brady on the other hand looks at the defense and goes, okay you're going to take Evans away, I'll just go somewhere else.

Evans will get his weeks, and AB, Godwin, and Gronk will have poor weeks.

Agree with this and it may also change as teams realized they can’t make him the main focus. They might rotate coverage towards different guys different plays giving Evans more opportunities.

He and Brady also had good chemistry in red zone. Evans will eat.

[Dibbles]

I don't think it's a lack of chemistry. I think it's Evans being the best WR on the field and defenses taking him away.l.

Right, so we agree that he’s a stud but he’s being minimized for fantasy purposes - so what would you do with him???

[briank]

He consistently had the top CB on him.

He still got 6 targets and was a great defensive play's fingertips away from a 60+ yard TD.

Don't overreact.

[gpaok]

Although I am not a huge fan, he is a good player, which means defenses focus on him a lot, and it was only one week! Sure looking at the score makes you more worried, but all WR/TE on that team will have great weeks and dud weeks.

Then let’s say you want to trade him? Who you go for can be tough - I for example prefer Arob who has a higher floor but lower ceiling.

[Anteaters]

I don't think it's a lack of chemistry. I think it's Evans being the best WR on the field and defenses taking him away.l.

Right, so we agree that he’s a stud but he’s being minimized for fantasy purposes - so what would you do with him???

Also agree.

What I did was not target any TB WRs as my WR1. Of course, that's harder to avoid if you already had them on your roster prior to last season.

The distribution is going to be unpredictable from week to week. I think all three will end up with WR2 numbers, but they we fluctuate week-to-week from WR1 production to unplayable to WR3 production, and we won't have any way to predict it. Kind of like owning Tyler Lockett.

The best case ownership scenario IMO is having a true stud at WR1 and either have Evans as WR2 with another WR2 in my lineup; or have Godwin/AB as WR3. I'd be nervous and looking to trade out of situations where Evans was my WR1 or Godwin/AB was my WR2. These guys are each going to win fantasy teams a couple of games a season, but those ultra-low-scoring games are going to be dreadful.

I prefer my players to be more consistent. I love studying charts that show how many times a WR had WR1/WR2/WR3/Unplayable games in a season. I'd rather have a WR have consistent WR2 production, than one who spikes three WR1 games and craters with 6 unplayable games, with a few WR3 games filling out the rest. Locket had two games in 2020 where he totaled 300yds/6TDs - in the other 14 games, Locket averaged 5rec/54yds/.25TDs. Yeah, he was technically a WR1 at the end of the season, but I don't need that kind of inconsistency on my teams.

[Zhoward88]

Tom Brady still threw to him some. It was kinda a fluke Evans had as bad a game as he did with the tipped passes and such. Brady has been known to spread the ball around for 2 decades. Not sure why people haven’t caught on to that. There is 0% chance Evans doesnt feast next week. Brady will make it happen. I’d almost bet he has 2 TDs next week. Evans will be fine. If you move him after this week you’re wasting value. He’s gonna rebound. I’d love to have him.

[Zhoward88]

I mean he had 6 targets still. Could’ve been a decent night for him with just a a tiny difference on the field.

[abloom]

I don't think it's a lack of chemistry. I think it's Evans being the best WR on the field and defenses taking him away.l.

Right, so we agree that he’s a stud but he’s being minimized for fantasy purposes - so what would you do with him???

The only thing you can do. You keep playing him unless you have another great option at wr.