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 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of problems and not a lot of answers.
That’s what happens when the most effective and most popular offensive player in franchise history walks out the door and essentially throws you under the bus on the way out, which wide receiver Mike Evans pretty much did when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
Here’s the thing — Evans wasn’t very good the last 2 years. He was hurt a lot, missing 12 games due to injuries including a career-high 9 games in 2025, when he had career lows in receptions (30), receiving yards (368) and receiving touchdowns (3). He also seemed grossly unhappy by the end of the year as the Buccaneers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the 1st time since 2019.
Maybe the best thing for both sides is a fresh start, and the Buccaneers could look to a huge move to replace Evans in the 1st round of the NFL draft, where ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s post-free agency mock draft predicts they will select superstar Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 15 overall pick.
Could Rookie Tight End Make An Impact?
How, you might ask, does a tight end replace a wide receiver? Well, Sadiq isn’t just any old tight end.
“For the first time since he was drafted in 2014, Mike Evans won’t be suiting up for the Buccaneers,” Kiper Jr. wrote. “The veteran receiver signed with the 49ers, and though Tampa Bay still has Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan, it is going to miss Evans’ 6-foot-5 size downfield and in the red zone. Sadiq could fill some of that void. Defenses struggle to match up with him because of his big 6-3 frame and 4.39 speed, and he has the explosive traits to go up and get 50-50 balls. Sure, the Bucs re-signed tight end Cade Otton, but new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson ran 12 personnel (two tight ends) 38.2% of the time in Atlanta last season, second most in the NFL.”
While Sadiq would be a tough player to pass up, the more likely scenario might be adding someone at edge rusher, where the Buccaneers tried and failed to find an impact player in free agency.
Kenyon Sadiq Rarest of NFL Tight End Prospects
Sadiq, 6-foot-3 and 245 pound, left Oregon with one year of eligibility remaining after he was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year in 2025 with 51 receptions for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The Idaho Falls, Idaho, native, split time with Los Angeles Chargers tight end Terrance Ferguson his first 2 seasons then came into his own in 2025 with 51 receptions for 560 yards and 8 touchdowns in 14 games on the way to being named Big Ten Tight End of the Year.
He cemented his draft stock as a pick who won’t last past the middle of the 1st round after turning in 1 of the most incredible performances in NFL scouting combine history — regardless of position — after he ran the 40-yard dash in a mind-melting 4.39 seconds to go with a 43.5-inch vertical leap, 11-foot-1 broad jump and knocking out 26 reps in the 225-pound bench press.
Clint Goss
HOW IS A LINEBACKER SUPPOSED TO COVER KENYON SADIQ
4.40 43.5 vertical 11-3 Broad