The Cleveland Browns are likely out on free agent receiver Mike Evans.
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The Cleveland Browns are likely out on free agent receiver Mike Evans.
The Cleveland Browns were expected to be among the teams pursuing six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans when free agency opened. That pursuit appears to be over before it started.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported on Monday that the Browns are not expected to be in the mix for Evans as his market heats up.
“As of right now, it doesn’t look sound the Cleveland Browns are takers, per league source,” Anderson said. “Some were envisioning Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders to Mike Evans…. Of course free agency is fluid.”
The price tag appears to be a major factor. Fox Sports’ Greg Auman reported that Evans has already received significant offers from interested teams.
“I’m hearing teams have offered Mike Evans north of $27 million per year,” Auman wrote. “Not sure Bucs would be willing to match that.”
Mike Evans’ Price Tag Doesn’t Fit Browns’ Budget
At $27 million per year, Evans would be a massive investment for Cleveland, which also has to address other glaring roster needs.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported over the weekend that the Browns were expected to pursue Evans, largely due to his connection with new head coach Todd Monken. Monken served as Evans’ offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay from 2016-18, a stretch in which Evans earned his first two Pro Bowl selections and topped 1,000 receiving yards in all three seasons.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week that Evans is seeking four things in his next destination: a quarterback he believes in, a chance at a Super Bowl, a top-shelf offensive coordinator and the promise of high-volume touches. The Browns check one of those boxes — at best.
There’s no doubt that Evans would have given the Browns an elite No. 1 option. He has recorded 866 catches, 13,052 receiving yards and 108 touchdowns over 12 seasons in Tampa Bay. He held an NFL record with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to open his career, tying Jerry Rice for the longest such streak at any point in a player’s career.
Browns Still Need Help at Wide Receiver
Cleveland still has a massive need at the receiver position. The Browns ranked 31st in passing yards last season, and Jerry Jeudy was the only wide receiver to top 400 receiving yards.
“I think we can add all across the offense to be honest,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said at the NFL Combine. “We’re really pleased with some of the younger players we have. Jerry is gonna be a big part of it and we’re pleased with Isaiah’s [Bond] rookie year but that doesn’t mean we can’t add to the arsenal. Malachi [Corley], he carved out a nice role.”
The Browns have been linked to New Orleans Saints wideout Chris Olave and Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. this offseason. Browns general manager Andrew Berry also has two first-round picks at his disposal and has already met with several top receiver prospects, including Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
Cleveland holds pick No. 6 and No. 24 overall in April’s NFL Draft.