Mike Evans Re-signs With Bucs; Jets Switching Receiver Target?

The New York Jets need help at wide receiver this offseason, but with the Tampa Bay Bucs and Mike Evans agreeing to an extension the options are dwindling.

Well, the New York Jets can cross Mike Evans off their free-agent target list. 

The long-time Tampa Bay Buccaneer chose to stay with the team that drafted him with the seventh overall pick back in 2014 when he signed a new two-year, $52 million deal Monday morning. 

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Evans' re-signing is a major blow to several wide receiver-needy teams hoping to turn to the free-agent market to address their concerns. Evans was considered the top target for many after 10 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons and five Pro Bowls. 

The next top candidates are Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Calvin Ridley and Arizona Cardinals' speedster Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Both receivers have recorded 1,000 yards receiving at least once in their career, but neither has been as consistent as Evans has been. 

For a team like the Jets who are looking for a receiver to compliment their top target in Garrett Wilson, getting into a bidding way now for Ridley or Brown may seem like a tall order - especially with so many teams needing receivers this offseason. 

There are plenty of viable other value options that won't cost Gang Green a lot of money but would be interesting pieces to their offensive identity. 

Wide receivers like Washington's Curtis Samuel, Buffalo's Gabe Davis, Cincinnati's Tyler Boyd, and Odell Beckham Jr. are just a few names that may have limitations to their game to lower their asking price but would be quality options for any team to have. 

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As with every organization now, the Jets will need to pivot to another top wide receiver target in free agency following Evans' decision to stay in Tampa. While not surprising, the move will have a ripple effect on the open market with good receivers being given massive contracts to out-bid other teams.

A deep Draft Class in April will only complicate the process further. 

Free agency is set to begin in a week and the Jets expect to be plenty busy with several major needs to fill on the roster.  

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