Heartbreak in Tampa: Is the Buccaneers’ Offense Prepared for Life Without Mike Evans?

With news breaking that Mike Evans has officially moved on from the franchise, Buccaneers fans are grappling with the loss of their most consistent offensive weapon in team history. Replacing Evans’ historic production will be the single biggest challenge for the front office heading into next month's NFL draft.

Heading into this years draft the draft is considered by the consensus to be a strong deep class rather then a class with elite top- five- talent. Some big names in the class include: Ohio States Carnell Tate, Arizona States Jordyn Tuson and USC’s Makai Lemon. A good majority of these players could be taken in the early rounds however, due to the draft class, it might be likely that one of these three could slide to Tampa Bay. Carnell Tate is considered the best wide receiver added this draft class with some projections having him being taken 4th by the Tennessee Titans or 11 as ESPN has Tate going to the Dolphins.

However, it’s not entirely over as the team still has good depth at wide receiver, as you have the reliable Chris Godwin, who has been a really great receiver and a solid target for the Buccaneers for years and has been around since Baker’s introduction in Tampa so the chemistry is there however he’s been battling injuries these past few seasons, but you also have last year’s first round pick Emeka Egbuka who had a really solid at the start to last season. It was e projected early on that he would win the offensive rookie of the year, however a declining production stripped that title away from him as the offensive rookie player of the year went to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Tampa has offensive weapons in the passing game and they also have Bucky Irving in the running game. It’s whether injuries are going to stop this team or not, like last season.

Despite Mike Evans departure, this off-season Tampa Bay’s offense does have some questions, but I believe those questions will be answered because you already have an established running game with Bucky Irving and you have a deep receiving core along with Cade Otton at tight end his presence in the locker room as a veteran leader will be missed dearly, however, I believe that Tampa will be able to replace Evan’s production with the deep receiving core that they have regardless of a draft selection or not.