Wide receiver Mike Evans has been the most valuable player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through 12 games of the 2016 NFL season. With four games remaining and the Buccaneers currently occupying a playoff spot, Evans has a chance to receive votes as a league MVP.
However, he’s unlikely to win because the only positions to win the NFL’s MVP Award are quarterback, running back, fullback, linebacker, defensive tackle and kicker. The MVP award will probably come down to Tom Brady, Derek Carr, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford.
What Evans is playing for is to be on the All-Pro First Team. He’s almost a lock to be on the second team because he’s been one of the three best wide receivers in the NFL this year.
The Pro Bowl does not mean that much because it’s scheduled between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. The players that attend usually aren’t the first, second or third options.
The most accurate postseason award is the All-Pro team. It values all positions on the field.
Mike Evans Belongs On All-Pro First Team
The two wide receivers on the All-Pro First Team in 2015 were Antonio Brown and Julio Jones and they are in the mix to be on the team in 2016. Evans will earn consideration along with Odell Beckham Jr., Larry Fitzgerald, Jordy Nelson and T.Y. Hilton.
Evans has many things going for him to be on the first team. The Buccaneers are the second wild card team in the NFC, which helps but Evans is also in the top three of the three major receiving categories. Evans ranks second in the NFL in receptions with 76 catches and third in receiving yards with 1,058. Evans is tied for second in the NFL with Nelson with 10 touchdown receptions.
Brown is likely to retain the top wide receiver position on the All-Pro First Team because he leads the NFL in receptions and receiving touchdowns and the Pittsburgh Steelers have a chance to win the AFC North or have a winning record.
Jones and Evans are probably competing for the second wide receiver position, but Evans has been slightly more consistent than Jones.
Evans has more receptions and ten touchdowns compared to five touchdowns for Jones. Jones does have more receiving yards and a higher yards per reception and he’s averaging 104.4 yards per game.
Jones also had a game this year against the Carolina Panthers in which he had 12 catches for 300 receiving yards.
The difference might come down to who wins the NFC South between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buccaneers, although both would be in the playoffs if the season ended. They are tied for first place in the division at 7-5.
Beckham could snag the second wide receiver position because he is in the top five in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. The New York Giants appear to be one of the dangerous teams in the NFC because of Beckham and he covers Madden 16.
Fitzgerald is the sentimental pick because he’s a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he retires and he’s having a great final season if he chooses to walk away. He’s tied with Brown for first in the NFL with 88 catches and he’s in the top ten in receiving yards.
The Arizona Cardinals still have the talent to go on a run in December and nab one of the wild card spots and Fitzgerald should have a major role in that. Fitzgerald has been on the All-Pro First Team just once.
Compared to the other receivers, Evans’ season has felt a little more special.
He has eye popping numbers without the help of Vincent Jackson, who is on injured reserve with a torn ACL. Jackson played in five games.
Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks is considered to be the best cornerback in the NFL. Evans had his coming out party against Sherman with eight catches, 104 yards and two touchdowns, one which went like this. The Buccaneers upset the Seahawks 14-5 on Nov. 27.
The Buccaneers hope to extend their season-long four-game winning streak against the New Orleans Saints at 4:25 PM Sunday, Dec. 11 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
