Mike Evans’ time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be coming to an end.
The star wide receiver failed to reach a long-term agreement with the Buccaneers going into the season, meaning that he will be a free agent come springtime.
As a result, Tampa Bay could ultimately move Evans before the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.
Of course, the Bucs are 2-0 and play in the terribly weak NFC South, so for now, their minds are on winning the division, but let’s face it: this team is far from a Super Bowl contender, and if things go haywire for the club between now and the end of October, they may pivot and decide to trade Evans.
Who are a couple of darkhorse teams that could enter the potential Evans sweepstakes?
Here are two clubs that come to mind.
New York Giants
The Giants are coming off of a surprising season in which they went 9-7-1 and upset the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Quarterback Daniel Jones made great strides last year, so much so that New York rewarded him with a big-time contract back in the spring.
However, in spite of the Giants’ recent improvements, it’s obvious that they are still in dire need of a true No. 1 receiver.
Evans would fit perfectly in a Big Blue receiving corps that includes Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson, who is still working his way back from injury.
Plus, New York has explosive tight end Darren Waller, so the presence of Evans would suddenly give the Giants a rather dynamic aerial attack.
New York hasn’t had a real top-flight receiver since Odell Beckham Jr., so it could definitely use to add a wide out of Evans’ caliber.
The Giants are 1-1 and are in clear need of roster upgrades. Adding Evans in a trade with the Buccaneers would be a big step forward for the club that has made just two playoff appearances since 2012.
Kansas City Chiefs
As dangerous as the Chiefs’ offense can be with Patrick Mahomes under center, they don’t really have a great receiving corps.
Yes, tight end Travis Kelce takes some of the sting out of not having a No. 1 receiver, but it would do Mahomes wonders to actually have a great wide out to utilize.
Imagine Evans with Mahomes throwing him the football?
Funny enough, Kansas City’s offense has not been great over the first two weeks, scoring a grand total of 37 points. Most recently, the Chiefs mustered just 17 points in an eight-point win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Obviously, it’s still early, but you have to wonder if the Chiefs will run into issues with their current group of receivers. Keep in mind: they did lose JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in the offseason, so their receiving corps is now even thinner than it was a year ago.
Bringing Mike Evans aboard will assuage any issues the Chiefs’ passing game may have.
