Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans has aged gracefully during his career in the NFL as he goes into his 12th season with history on the line. While Father Time is undefeated, Mike Evans has fought against it like Muhammad Ali or Anderson Silva in their prime with the title on the line.

Evans’ experience grows more and more each season and thankfully the athleticism hasn’t declined much either. The 1,000-yard seasons keep coming, the double-digit touchdowns continue on, and although he missed three games because of a hamstring injury, he still found ways to reach career highs in other areas. He had his personal best of catching percentage of 67.3% and receiving success rate at 62.7%.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Mike Evans Listed In Top Group Of Veteran Players

No matter how anyone wants to look at it, Mike Evans is still playing up there with the top players in the game. There’s been several accolades given to Evans in recent years, and this can be added is another. Pro Football Focus came out with a list of 10 late career NFL veterans that are still playing at a high level, and Mike Evans is firmly in that name group.

Joining him is Lane Johnson, Bobby Wagner Matthew Stafford, Trent Williams, Cameron Heyward, Joe Thuney, Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell and Kevin Zeitler. Only Evans, Johnson and Heyward still remain with their original team.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

Here is what was said by PFF’s Ryan Smith about the future Hall of Famer, Mike Evans, as he continues to play so well.

“Evans made history last season, tying Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons topping 1,000 receiving yards (11) despite missing time with a hamstring injury. He was elite in Tampa Bay’s wild-card playoff loss to the Commanders (91.8 overall grade), dominating longtime rival Marshon Lattimore. He caught all six targets thrown his way in the matchup for 84 yards and a touchdown while also drawing a defensive pass interference penalty.

“Earlier this month, Evans commented that this year’s Buccaneers wide receiver room might be the best he’s been a part of in his career. He will be joined by fellow veteran standout Chris Godwin and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State atop the depth chart this season.

What To Expect From Mike Evans This Season

There’s a ton of excitement for the Bucs this season and Evans breaking Jerry Rice’s record is certainly a big reason for it. He will have even more help to do it this year with Emeka Egbuka coming into the fold plus a returning Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan continuing to grow in his second season.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

What it means is that Evans doesn’t have to wear himself out trying to help the Bucs win and achieve his own success. It won’t hurt Tampa Bay if Mike Evans were to miss a couple of snaps here and there on certain drives if it means preserving him for moments in crunch time and of course the postseason. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and the Bucs are still going to have him dominate in the red zone where he’s racked up several of his touchdowns in recent seasons. That should be no different this year.

Playing at such a high level still is almost unprecedented as Evans will be 32 once the season begins. But season after season he continues to amaze as a future Hall of Fame player. Check out the entire story from Pro Football Focus here.