Despite having Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and re-signing Demarcus Robinson last week, the Los Angeles Rams were still looking to improve their wide receiver depth, and they were allegedly interested in Mike Evans.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Evans was a free agent target for the Los Angeles Rams before extending his stay in Tampa. If Evans had been available on the open market, the Los Angeles Rams would have been eager to engage in a bidding war with a number of other teams to secure his services.
Evans, of course, signed a two-year, $52 million contract with a $35 million guarantee to stay with the franchise that took him with the seventh pick in the 2014 NFL draft. The winner of Super Bowl 55 will receive a fully guaranteed $23 million in 2024.
Why did the Los Angeles Rams want Mike Evans?
Mike Evans is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and he shows no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 30s. The five-time Pro Bowler has at least 1,000 receiving yards in every ten of his NFL seasons, making him a model of consistency.
Last season, the five-time Pro Bowler had 79 receptions for 1,255 receiving yards and a league-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. In two playoff games, he made 11 receptions for 195 yards and one touchdown.
Evans is the most productive wide receiver in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history, with 11,680 total receiving yards, 4,990 more than the next closest Buccaneer, teammate Chris Godwin (6,690).
While putting Evans up with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua was a frightening prospect for the Los Angeles Rams’ opponents, they may have to go elsewhere, whether through free agency or the 2017 NFL Draft.
Other receiver alternatives for the Los Angeles Rams
If the Los Angeles Rams use the NFL Draft to acquire another weapon, they may need to trade up to obtain someone like Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, or Brian Thomas Jr., as they only have the 19th pick.
On the other hand, they might decide to bring back Odell Beckham Jr. or check into fellow free agent Calvin Ridley.
