Week 16 at Detroit Lions
Mike Evans looked good last week as the Bucs went with a pass-heavy approach. Evans finished 6-110 on seven targets, which tied Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski for the most on the team. It's just his third 100-yard game this season, and his first since Week 4. It's been a weird year for Evans, but he seems to have righted the ship lately with much more consistent numbers. He gets a favorable matchup against the Lions (No. 23 aFPA) this week, who have allowed the second-most receiving yards and most touchdowns (tied) to WRs over the past four weeks. Evans is a strong WR2 play in Week 16.
Week 15 at Atlanta Falcons
Mike Evans finished 3-56 on five targets last week as the Bucs opted for a run-heavy approach. Evans also failed to score a touchdown for only the fourth time this season. We'd expect a bounce-back effort this week given the matchup. The Falcons are more favorable against the pass than against the run, and the Bucs will be without Ronald Jones. Expect a pass-heavy game plan from Tampa, leading to more targets for Evans. We like Evans as a solid WR2 play in Week 15 against a Falcons defense allowing the second-most receiving yards to WRs this season.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Mike Evans had another weird game last time the Bucs played, finishing with only three receptions, but also posting two touchdowns. He's scored a touchdown in all but three games this season. He's averaging 38 yards less per game than he was a year ago, but he's on pace to break his season-high in touchdown receptions. He has a strong chance to score again this week as he faces a Vikings defense giving up the second-most touchdowns (19) to wide receivers this season. However, Evans is very touchdown-dependent, so if he doesn't score then his fantasy numbers typically aren't great. Because of this, Evans is more of a WR3 play in Week 14. His health is also worth monitoring this week as Evans had a DNP Thursday as he deals with a hamstring injury.
Week 12 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Evans was last in the pecking order of targets last week among his fellow receivers. Antonio Brown led the way with 13, Chris Godwin followed with 10 and Evans had 9. Evans still had a productive game, finishing 5-49-1 as he's scored a touchdown in every game but three so far in 2020. Evans has had a bizarre season, including three games with 10 yards or less, but he's been more reliable ever since the arrival of Brown. He should have another solid game this week, although he does get a tough matchup against the Chiefs. Kansas City has given up the second-fewest total receiving yards to wide receivers this season. Still, Evans can be viewed as a mid-tier WR2.
Week 11 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Despite Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown in the lineup, Mike Evans saw a season-high 11 targets in Week 10, finishing 6-77-1. It was his most receiving yards since Week 4, and his second touchdown since Week 5. Evans was in a slight slump, but if he's going to see 10+ targets then he'll get out of that slump quickly. However, he might struggle this week in a brutal matchup against the Rams. The Rams have allowed the fewest total receiving yards to WRs, and the fewest touchdowns (4). Evans is more of a low-end WR2 in Week 11.
Week 10 at Carolina Panthers
Mike Evans once again fell short of his 10 target mark set by Bruce Arians after Week 1, this time only getting six last week. Evans finished 4-64 and had a few goal-line fades that failed, which resulted in no touchdowns. After scoring six times in his first five games this season, Evans has now only scored once in his last four games. This is an issue because Evans is averaging less than 50 yards per game, so if he's not scoring then he's typically not doing much else. Evans is no longer a WR1 like he was a year ago, but more in the WR2 range. This week he faces the Panthers, a team he dominated earlier in the year with a 7-104-1 stat line. However, a lot has changed since then (the Bucs were without Chris Godwin & Antonio Brown in that game). Evans is more of a WR2 this week against the Panthers.
Week 9 vs. New Orleans Saints
Mike Evans had his highest receiving total since Week 4 last week, finishing 5-55-1 on seven targets. Evans has only hit Bruce Arians' desired 10-target goal once this season, and it's been noticeable. Evans has three games with 10 yards or less and has only hit 60+ yards twice. Evans' saving grace this season has been the fact he's scored in six of his eight games. It'll be interesting to see how he performs this week with the arrival of Antonio Brown, and a potential return of Chris Godwin. He'll face the Saints, a team he only had one reception against in Week 1. We still like Evans as a low-end WR1 in Week 9.
Week 8 at New York Giants
Mike Evans had another disappointing game last week, finishing 2-37 on two targets. What makes this game worse is the fact Tom Brady threw the ball 45 times, so it's not like Evans fell victim to the game flow as he has in the past. This now makes four games (out of seven) where Evans has finished with two receptions or less this season. It's also two games in a row where he's seen just two targets. We'd expect that to change this week, especially with no Chris Godwin in the lineup. Evans draws a favorable matchup against the Giants (No. 22 aFPA), and it's hard to see someone of Evans' talent not put big numbers for very long. He's still in WR1 range despite his recent struggles.
Week 7 at Las Vegas Raiders
Mike Evans' touchdown streak snapped, and the talented wideout finished with an ugly one-catch game for 10 yards. He's now had 10 or fewer yards in half of his games this season, which would be more concerning if he wasn't scoring touchdowns constantly. Evans fell victim to a run-heavy gameplan in Week 6, and that could be the case again in Week 7 against the Raiders. Even if it is, we'd still expect him to finish with more than one catch. Evans should be viewed as a WR2 this week.
Week 6 vs. Green Bay Packers
Despite several injuries at the receiver position, Mike Evans still didn't reach Bruce Arians' quota of 10 targets last week, although he came close with nine. Evans did, however, maintain his streak of scoring a touchdown in every game this season. He wasn't dominant, finishing 5-41 while playing hurt, but it was another nice outing for Evans. Evans is still battling an ankle injury as he was held out of practice on Wednesday. He should be good to go, but don't be surprised if he's not as effective. Despite the injury, Evans should still be viewed as a solid WR1 option this week against the Packers. Green Bay 19th in aFPA to receivers, and Evans has a high chance of scoring a touchdown considering what he's done this year. Start Evans with confidence.
