Chiefs headline best Mike Evans trade fits as extension deadline looms
The clock is ticking for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Mike Evans's agent, Deryk Gilmore, set a Saturday deadline for the franchise to strike a contract extension with his client.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Buccaneers are not interested in trading their star receiver. Yet, should the extension deadline pass without an agreement, Fowler noted Evans would have "strong value" around the trade deadline.
Here are five teams that could make a run at the four-time Pro Bowler:
Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday night's season-opening loss to the Detroit Lions should tell you all you need to know about the Chiefs receiving corps.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 46% of his passes to wide receivers, his worst completion percentage to wideouts in his career (min. 20 pass attempts).
The team's penciled-in No. 1 receiver, Kadarius Toney, dropped three crucial passes against Detroit and totaled zero yards from scrimmage. Isiah Pacheco, a running back with 13 career receptions entering the game, led all Chiefs players with four receptions.
As constructed, the Chiefs are Travis Kelce-or-bust in the passing game. Adding Evans outside would give Mahomes a legitimate WR1 to play off of Kelce — something he hasn't had since the departure of Tyreek Hill.
Kansas City entertained this offseason adding DeAndre Hopkins, who has averaged just 644.5 yards over the past two seasons. In the past, they've gambled on big-bodied receivers Josh Gordon and Kelvin Benjamin. Evans, who has recorded 1,000-plus yards receiving in all nine of his NFL seasons, would add surefire production to the aerial attack.
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers' arrival in East Rutherford has the Jets operating in Super Bowl-or-bust mode.
The team is clearly in the receiver market, working out Giants bust Kenny Golladay on Wednesday. While top target Garrett Wilson looks poised for a dominant second campaign in New York, the Jets could benefit from upgrading the position beyond him.
Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman Jr. project as complementary pieces rather than primary options.
A Rodgers-Evans connection could be special inside the 20. Rodgers has ranked first in red-zone passing touchdowns in two of the past three seasons, while Evans has ranked sixth or better in red-zone receiving touchdowns in two of the past three seasons, per FantasyPros.
Other potential suitors for Evans
New England Patriots: The Pats have a need at receiver and the available cash (projected $93.7M cap space in 2024, per Spotrac) to extend Evans. Sliding JuJu Smith-Schuster into a No. 2 role would give quarterback Mac Jones a legitimate one-two punch at wideout.
Green Bay Packers: While the team remains high on Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, Green Bay has yet to truly replace Davante Adams since trading him to the Las Vegas Raiders last season. To give Jordan Love a fighter's chance to solidify himself as the QB1 in Green Bay, why not get him a true No. 1 wideout?
Cleveland Browns: The Browns are hopeful Elijah Moore, the former Jet, can recapture his rookie form in his new surroundings. Yet, if he continues his recent level of mediocre production (one touchdown in his last 16 games) into the first half of the season, a splash move could be in the cards for Cleveland. With $230 million committed to QB Deshaun Watson, the organization must do everything in its power to kickstart the NFL's 22nd-ranked passing offense from last season.
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