Mike Evans is one of the more underrated receivers in NFL history. He has one of the NFL's more rare feats in his pocket, with 11 straight seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards. But since his collarbone injury last season, there has only been doubt cast upon the A&M legend.
Pro Football Focus came out with an article on the best and worst signings for each team in the NFL. The A&M legend made his way onto the list, but not in the way he expected.
Zoldan Buday of PFF says Evans' contract is a risk for the San Francisco 49ers, mainly due to being up there in age, but if anyone can defy Father Time, it's going to be Evans.
Mike Evans listed as the worst free agent signing for the 49ers
"(Mike Evans') 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. 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. "Zoldan Buday
When Evans came back from injury in Week 15, he exploded for 6 catches for 132 yards.
The injury set him back, but any injury will stop any player's progress. There's nothing particularly new in that department, but the NFL media is already painting Evans as the new old man.
Evans can still be a lethal red zone threat, and his height will always be a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks. The 49ers also made the playoffs without a 1,000-yard receiver on their roster, bolstering the 49ers' WR room out of this world.
The A&M legend has also been able to work with pretty much any quarterback. Jameis Winston, Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield have all played with Evans. Now, with Brock Purdy by his side, they can only make each other look so much better. It'd be nice to see what Purdy can do with two All-Pros in Evans and George Kittle.
Evans may not be what he used to be, but "used to" was a fairly high bar for him. All he needs to be is effective at this stage of his career.