Mike Evans proved again in 2024 that opponents have continued to make a big strategic mistake against the Bucs, but it's one they can't change

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is one of the best wide receivers of this generation, and that's for a number of reasons.  Between his size, speed, and contested catch ability, he's become one of the best and most consistent wideouts in league history. 

Naturally, his skillset has created issues for opposing defensive coordinators over the years.  Evans has drawn plenty of attention between double teams and rolling coverage his way. 

However, no one was more successful than Evans in 2024 against man coverage than Evans, according to Pro Football Focus.  They ranked their top five graded receivers against both man and zone coverages, and Evans came in #1 for the former. 

This is what PFF had to say about Evans: 

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. - Lauren Gray, Pro Football Focus

Evans' grade against man coverage was a 92.5, the highest among all wide receivers against any coverage, man or zone.  His catch rate against single-coverage man (76.7%) was higher than his season catch rate of 71.1% (81 catches on 114 targets).

Obviously, teams cannot completely go away from an entire defensive set based on one player, as mixing up coverages and looks is a requirement against any NFL offense, good or bad. But if the Bucs get a look in a key moment against man coverage, Evans has shown zero signs of slowing down as one of the league's premier weapons against it as he heads into his twelfth NFL season.