2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers projections: Will Mike Evans break 1,000 receiving yards?
2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers projections: Will Mike Evans break 1,000 receiving yards?
At this point, betting against Mike Evans hitting 1,000 yards is like betting against the heat during a September game in Raymond James. Since entering the NFL in 2014, Evans has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards every single season, 11 years in a row.
That ties Jerry Rice's all-time record, and in 2025, Evans has a chance to stand alone in that category. Considering his chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield and a favorable schedule, there's every reason to believe he'll do it again.
Evans has a Favorable Schedule
Tampa's 2025 opponents provide Evans with plenty of opportunities to shine. In Week 3, the Bucs face the New York Jets, who ranked 20th in pass defense last season and lost cornerback D.J. Reed in the offseason. That secondary should be vulnerable to Evans' downfield threat, especially with added artillery in the pass game. Week 4 brings the Philadelphia Eagles, who finished first in pass defense in 2024. However, they lost key defensive linemen Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, which could weaken their pass rush and allow Baker Mayfield more time to find Evans downfield.
Week 6 is a home game against the San Francisco 49ers, whose 21st-ranked pass defense got even shakier this offseason after losing safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Charvarius Ward. Evans should have no problem finding soft spots in their secondary. The best matchup of all may come in Week 10 against the New England Patriots. They ranked 30th against the pass last season, and although they have added ex-Buccaneer Carlton Davis to pair with Christian Gonzalez, that game has all the makings of a 100-yard performance.
He remains the Bucs' WR1
Despite entering his 12th season, Evans is still Baker Mayfield's No. 1 target. In 2023, the duo connected for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns. With Chris Godwin drawing attention and young receivers in Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson adding depth, Evans will continue to see favorable coverage looks and red zone opportunities.
Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard inherits a top-five offense and will likely keep the system rolling with Evans as the focal point in critical moments. Combine that with Evans' contract-year motivation and the chance to break a Hall of Fame record, and you get a player with every reason to dominate again.
Final Prediction: Mike Evans finishes the 2025 regular season with over 1,000 receiving yards, becoming the first player in NFL history with 12 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
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