Fansided

3 best red zone weapons for the 2023 NFL season

By Kinnu Singh

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 04: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Best NFL red-zone weapons for 2023 season: 2. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Austin Ekeler tied with Stefon Diggs for the fifth-most red zone targets inside the 20-yard line, Mike Evans came in significantly lower on that list. In 2022, Evans caught seven of 14 targets for 40 yards and three touchdowns. Inside the 10-yard line, Evans caught two of seven targets for two touchdowns. Those numbers may not be impressive relative to other receivers last season, but Evans is no rookie: he’s the only player in NFL history to record nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since the start of his career, which is three more seasons than Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss. A look back at previous seasons proves that Evans is a frequent red-zone target for good reason.

Inside the 20-yard line, Evans caught 14 of 23 targets for 89 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021, which was 17.7 percent of the target share. Evans was a sure thing inside the 10-yard line, catching nine of 13 targets for eight touchdowns that season. The Buccaneers’ Super Bowl-winning season resulted in similar numbers, with nine touchdowns within the 20-yard line and nine additional touchdowns within the 10-yard line.

Evans has remained a favorite despite quarterback changes, and it’s fair to assume that Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield will insist on targeting Evans in the red zone given his consistent ability to find separation — and the end zone. It’s still unknown how the 2023 season will look for the Buccaneers, but it’s reasonable to assume that Evans will return as a fantasy football favorite once he builds a connection with Mayfield.

Home/NFL