FAB 2. EVANS IS NEXT FOR A BIG PAY DAY, COULD GET $20 MILLION PER YEAR
Don’t think that Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is the least bit upset that he’s still the second-highest paid player at his position in Tampa Bay with the signing of free agent DeSean Jackson to a three-year contract worth $35 million with $20 million in guaranteed money. Evans is used to it.

That’s about to change.

Evans could fetch as much as $20 million per year with his next contract – more on that later.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and former Bucs WR Vincent Jackson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When the Bucs made Evans the seventh overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft he arrived in Tampa Bay in the middle of Vincent Jackson’s contract, which was a five-year deal worth $55.555 million. Jackson’s deal, which was signed in 2012, was done to give former quarterback Josh Freeman, who wore number five, an experienced, Pro Bowl-caliber receiver to throw to.

In Jackson’s last three years in Tampa Bay, his salary was nearly triple what Evans made with his rookie contract, which was a four-year, $14,631,502 deal that was fully guaranteed. Evans outperformed Jackson in every season from his rookie year when both barely topped 1,000 yards, but Evans had a franchise-record 12 touchdowns to Jackson’s two. Over the last two years Evans recorded topped 1,200 yards and 1,300 yards, respectively, while Jackson had 543 yards and 173 yards over the last two years.

But comparing Evans, who is barely scratching the surface of his potential, as an NFL receiver at age 23, with an aging veteran, who suffered two knee injuries, is pointless now with Jackson likely being forced to retire at age 34. Jackson wants to continue playing, but I don’t see another team interested, especially with his declining production over the last two years and some bad tape from last season.

Now entering his fourth year, Evans is still the second-highest paid wide receiver – for the time being.

This year could be a contract year for Evans unless the Bucs pick up his fifth-year option – which they won’t – or sign him to a contract extension – which they will.

Tampa Bay extended the contracts of linebacker Lavonte David in the summer of 2015 and right tackle Demar Dotson in the summer of 2016.

This summer it will just might be Evans’ turn, and not only will he become the highest paid Bucs wide receiver, he very well could become the highest paid receiver in the entire league.

Bucs CB Vernon Hargreaves III and Falcons WR Julio Jones – Photo by: Getty Images

The top two contracts in the league at the receiver position belong to Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown and Atlanta’s Julio Jones. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $68 million with $19 million in guaranteed money. Brown’s $17 million per year average is the highest of any receiver in the league.

Jones still has the richest contract for a receiver in terms of overall worth at $71.25 million over five years, including $35.5 million in guaranteed money, which is also the highest amount ever doled out to a receiver. However, Jones’ average per year is just $14.25 million, which currently ranks fourth in the league.

The fact that DeSean Jackson is currently making more than double what Evans is scheduled to earn in 2017 doesn’t bother the 2014 first-round pick or his agent, Deryk Gilmore.

“Mike is the ultimate team guy,” Gilmore said. “So first and foremost, he’s interested in winning. His contract was done when he came in, so he doesn’t have to worry about money. He’s just worried about winning. I think what his goal has been – and he and I talk about it – to go out and produce and get this team to win and everything will take care of itself. I think he is the best receiver in the league, personally. That being said … it’s just like an NBA team like the Golden State Warriors. The more weapons you have the better chance you have of winning.

“I feel like they think they have the best receiver. Jameis and Mike’s chemistry is only going to get better. I think he will develop into what people will say is the best receiver as I see him as the best receiver. So the Bucs will say, ‘So we have the best receiver, let’s make him the best receiver – not just with verbiage, but financially.’ When that happens then we’ll be excited.”

Gilmore said he’s not necessarily rushing to the negotiating table in advance of Evans’ contract year, but he’s also willing to listen to the Bucs if they approach him about extending his client’s contract early.

“Mike loves Tampa,” Gilmore said. “Mike is planning on doing a whole bunch of community service and programs in the city, so we’re planning on being there a long time if that tells you where we’re at.

“I respect Jason Licht and Mike Greenberg. I think Jason and Mike are quality individuals. I’m confident that I have the best receiver in the NFL. I’m confident that they know that, too. If they are ready to do something like that that is equitable, then great. I’m confident that between the three of us that we’ll be able to get something done because it’s an excellent organization.”

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Getty Images

In the meantime, Evans and Gilmore watch as receivers continue to get paid handsomely like Jackson and his former teammate, Pierre Garcon, who did with San Francisco, signing a five-year, $47.5 million deal with $20 million in guaranteed money, including $12 million signing bonus. Garcon is set to make $16 million in the first year of his contract.

With Jackson and Garcon cashing in at age 30 in the twilight of their respective careers, what will the market hold for the 23-year old Evans, who isn’t even in his prime yet? Gilmore, who also reps Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins, Dallas linebacker Sean Lee and Detroit defensive tackle Haloti Ngata among other NFL players, believes Evans is worth more because he’s so good and so young, and is deserving of a deal that rivals or exceeds that of Brown and Jones, both of whom are 28 years old.

“One of the things you always want to see is players do well who have earned it and I think Antonio has earned it,” Gilmore said. “It’s disappointing to see players who have earned it not get paid. Our history is to get our guys paid as an organization – as an agency. We have done some of the richest contacts in sports and we plan to continue doing that.”

When Evans cashes in, possibly this summer before New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. has a chance to set the receiver market even higher, the Bucs will likely have the richest receiving tandem in the league.

Projected NFL Top WR Tandem Salaries In 2017
Bucs WR Mike Evans – $18 million per year (est.) – $90 million total contract (est.)
Bucs WR DeSean Jackson – $11.67 million per year – $35 million total contract

Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas – $14 million per year – $70 million total contract
Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders – $11 million per year – $33 million total contract

Falcons WR Julio Jones – $14.25 million per year – $71.25 million total contract
Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu – $6.5 million per year – $32.5 million total contract

Packers WR Randall Cobb – $10,012,500 per year – $40.05 million total contract
Packers WR Jordy Nelson – $10 million per year – $40 million total contract

Thanks to incredible salary cap management by Licht and Greenberg, the Bucs can afford to pay its top two receivers a combined $29.67 million – assuming Evans gets a contract worth $90 million over five years, which would make his average per year $18 million.

Of course if Gilmore and Evans drive a hard bargain it could approach $20 million per season.