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2014 NFL Draft grades: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Mike Evans

By Andrew Melnick

Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) looks to run after making a catch against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Kyle Field. Tigers won 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) looks to run after making a catch against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Kyle Field. Tigers won 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) looks to run after making a catch against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Kyle Field. Tigers won 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Mike Evans (13) looks to run after making a catch against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Kyle Field. Tigers won 45-41. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Most of the names surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft were on the offensive side of the ball.

The name most often associated with the Buccaneers throughout the process was former Texas A&M Aggies’ wide receiver Mike Evans. However, this week, several reports began to surface about how much the Buccaneers, especially their owners, were in love with Evans’ teammate, quarterback Johnny Manziel, and may try to trade up for him.

After the Jacksonville Jaguars made former Central Florida Knights’ quarterback Blake Bortles the first quarterback selected, Manziel fell right into the Buccaneers’ laps. However, instead of going with Manziel, they proved nearly everyone right, selecting Evans.

The Buccaneers don’t necessarily have a need at quarterback – they did sign Josh McCown away from the Chicago Bears and return second-year signal-caller Mike Glennon – so they were not absolutely desperate for a player like Mazniel. Still, they could one day regret not taking a talent like Manziel.

After trading Mike Williams to the Buffalo Bills, the Buccaneers had a huge need at wide receiver and took what could be an elite player. Evans has fantastic size (6’5, 231 pounds) and speed (4.53 40-yard dash). He was extremely productive, catching 69 passes for 1,394 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Pairing Evans with Vincent Jackson gives the Buccaneers the biggest duo in the league and it could soon be one of the best.

Grade: A

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