Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (#13)
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Yesterday, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht revealed that they almost missed out on all-time leading receiver Mike Evans in a 2014 draft-day trade.
Yesterday, the Buccaneers hosted a special event to premiere a documentary celebrating the team’s 50th season. As part of the event, they played excerpts from the documentary, including a behind-the-scenes look at Mike Evans crossing the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the 11th-straight season, tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.
They finished the event with a panel discussion featuring Bucs legends like Tom Brady, Mike Evans, Doug Williams, Ali Marpet, Jon Gruden and more. During the discussion, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht revealed that the team almost missed out on the franchise’s all-time leading receiver in a draft-day trade in 2014.
The Buccaneers Nearly Traded Their Mike Evans Pick to Cleveland During 2014 NFL Draft
During the 2013 college football season, there were few duos better than Johnny Manziel and Mike Evans. They connected 69 times for 1,394 yards and 12 touchdowns on the way to a 9-4 season and a Chick-fil-A Bowl victory.
It looked like the sky was the limit for the duo. But, heading into the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers had fallen in love with one of them.
According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, during the discussion, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht revealed that one team offered “a pretty good deal” to trade up from No. 8 to No. 7 to select Mike Evans. He then told the crowd that he’d fallen in love with Evans, reportedly saying to Evans, “You’re welcome for not going to Cleveland.”
Bucs GM Jason Licht said that the day of the 2014 NFL draft, an unnamed team had offered “a pretty good deal” to move up to No. 7. He considered it but had fallen in love with Mike Evans. He then said to Mike, “You’re welcome for not going to Cleveland.” (The Browns selected 8th)
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) September 2, 2025
Thankfully, the Buccaneers stayed the course and selected Mike Evans at No. 7 overall. 11 years and one Super Bowl later, it’s clear that they made the best decision for both the team and Evans’ career.
Tampa Bay Counting on Another Draft-Day Diamond to Elevate Receiving Corps
While Chris Godwin is expected to return at some point early in the season, Jalen McMillan is “likely out for at least half the season due to a neck injury,” according to Buccaneers Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith today. As we enter the season, rookie Emeka Egbuka joins Mike Evans as a starter, according to Tampa Bay’s Week 1 depth chart.
According to Smith, “it is not terribly shocking” that Egbuka is listed as a starter. Smith wrote that Egbuka has “consistently impressed the coaching staff with his route-running and sticky hands.”
While some questioned their decision to select Egbuka given their more glaring holes on defense, several draft experts praised the decision to bring in a player who could be Mike Evans’ successor at wide receiver.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox loved the move, writing that the rookie would “add a whole new dimension to Tampa’s offense when he, Godwin and Mike Evans can all take the field together.”
Knox continued, writing that “The strategy of adding an immediate contributor at receiver and then throwing multiple darts at the defense was logical.”
Writers and coaches have raved about Egbuka’s performance throughout training camp and the preseason, so it’s no surprise that the Buccaneers will look to him to help lead the offense to start the season. If Egbuka can develop into a consistent performer, the Bucs should have no problem with Mike Evans passing him the torch when he decides to hang up the cleats.
General managers aren’t perfect, and Jason Licht has recently gone on the record to admit that.
But, one thing is for sure. He made the right choice in drafting Mike Evans in 2014. If Emeka Egbuka can approach Evans’ consistency, Tampa Bay will have found another draft-day gem at wide receiver.