FAB 4. Evans Continues Record-Breaking Year For Bucs

Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans has already smashed a few Tampa Bay receiving records this year in what has been one of his greatest seasons in his five-year career.

Not only has Evans made NFL history as only one of three wide receivers to start his career with five straight 1,000-yard seasons – joining Hall of Famer Randy Moss and A.J. Green – he’s also become Tampa Bay’s all-time leading career touchdown receiver and career receiving leader this season.

Evans has 5,907 receiving yards and passed Mark Carrier (5,018) for the Bucs’ career yardage lead earlier this year. Evans surpassed Jimmie Giles’ 34 career TDs earlier this season and now has 37 career touchdowns at the age of 25.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

The Big Takeaway
While it will likely take another year for James Wilder’s franchise record of 430 career receptions to fall – Evans has 383 career catches – the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder is currently chasing another Bucs record. He’s just 95 yards away from toppling Mark Carrier’s single season record of 1,422 yards, which was set 29 years ago.

Last year Evans broke the record for most 1,000-yard seasons in Bucs history with four. Now he has the most 1,300-yard receiving seasons with two and is gunning to break the 1,400-yard mark to surpass Carrier.

The Stats That Count
Most Bucs Receiving Yards – Single Season
1. WR Mark Carrier, 1989 – 1,422
2. WR Vincent Jackson, 2012 – 1,384
3. WR Mike Evans, 2018 – 1,328
4. WR Mike Evans, 2016 – 1,321
5. WR Joey Galloway, 2005 – 1,287
6. WR Keyshawn Johnson, 2001 – 1,266
7. WR Antonio Bryant, 2008 – 1,248
8. WR Vincent Jackson, 2013 – 1,224
9. WR Mike Evans, 2015 – 1,206
10. WR Michael Clayton, 2004 – 1,193

2018 NFL Receiving Yardage Leader
1. WR Julio Jones (ATL) 1,511
2. WR Mike Evans (TB) 1,328
3. WR DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) 1,321
4. WR Davante Adams (GB) 1,315
5. WR Tyreek Hill (KC) 1,304

Most Receiving Yards By A Player In His First 5 Seasons
(Since 1970 Merger)   
1. WR Torry Holt (STL, 1999-2003) 6,784
2. WR Randy Moss (MIN, 1998-2002) 6,743
3. WR Jerry Rice (SF, 1985-89) 6,364
4. WR Julio Jones (ATL, 2011-15) 6,201
5. WR A.J. Green (CIN, 2011-15) 6,171
6. WR Larry Fitzgerald (ARI, 2004-08) 5,975
7. WR Mike Evans (TB, 2014-18) 5,907
8. WR Calvin Johnson (DET, 2007-11) 5,872
9. WR DeAndre Hopkins (HOU, 2013-17) 5,865
10. WR T.Y. Hilton (IND, 2012-16) 5,861

The FABulous Ending
Evans needs just 93 yards to reach 6,000 career receiving yards, in addition to needing 95 to break Carrier’s record. Evans’ assault on the record books has been a product of better yards-after-catch ability this season, evidenced by his career-high 17.9-yard average. Evans’ 1,328 receiving yards this season, a new career high and is currently the third-most in a single season in franchise history.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Getty Images

“Mike has aspirations of owning every record – even higher than that,” Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said. “I would just say that if he doesn’t get it this year, he’s (eventually) going to get it.”

Last week in Baltimore, Evans finished the game with four catches for 121 yards, which was his seventh 100-yard receiving game this season and the second-most in a single season in team history. With two more 100-yard games to end the season Evans can break that record, too. He now has 20 career 100-yard receiving games, which extends his franchise record. Soon Evans will have all of Tampa Bay’s receiving records and superlatives.

He’s only 25.