Why PFF questions 49ers' signing of WR Mike Evans

The San Francisco 49ers' addition of Mike Evans has largely been viewed as a win. The veteran brings a proven track record—eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards in 11 of his 12 NFL seasons—and offers leadership for a relatively young wide receiver room while joining the 49ers on a team-friendly deal.

However, not everyone is sold on the move.

Pro Football Focus senior analyst Zoltán Buday recently evaluated the best and worst free agency decisions for each NFL team and listed the 49ers' signing of Evans among his least favorite.

"In a vacuum, getting Evans on the 29th-biggest wide receiver contract in the NFL could be a good deal for the 49ers," Buday wrote. "However, his recent seasons and history are not on their side. The Texas A&M product set career lows in snaps played in each of the past two seasons and is about to play his 13th year in the NFL."

Evans will turn 33 before the start of the 2026 season and is coming off an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. He appeared in just eight games, finishing with 30 receptions for a career-low 368 yards and three touchdowns.

Buday doesn't believe history is on Evans' side.

"Only one wide receiver has logged more than 400 receiving yards in their 13th season over the past five seasons — Keenan Allen's 777 in 2025," Buday noted.

While Buday was critical of the Evans addition, he did highlight a move he liked for San Francisco: the return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

Greenlaw, who spent the 2025 season with the Denver Broncos, reunites with the team that drafted him and forms a familiar tandem with All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.

"Although Greenlaw struggled with injuries in recent seasons, he still played at a high level when he was on the field in Denver," Buday wrote. "His 76.1 PFF overall grade in 2025 ranked 16th among linebackers.

"Pairing him with Fred Warner — arguably the best linebacker in the NFL — once again could pay dividends for the 49ers, as he is on a low-risk, one-year contract worth $6 million."