The
Tampa Bay Buccaneers still don't know their quarterback of the future. However, they sure have a sweet pair of wide receivers waiting for him.
The team selected
Mike Evans with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft. The
Buccaneers had the chance to draft Evans' partner in crime,
Johnny Manziel, but they decided they couldn't pass Evans up.
This is one pre-draft rumor that came true. We heard repeatedly that the
Buccaneers were intrigued by Evans' physical play and deep playmaking ability. He's great at attacking the ball in tight spaces. In many ways, Evans reminds us of
Vincent Jackson. Now the two will play together in one of the most dangerous wide receiver duos in the league.
This is a nice start for the
Lovie Smith-Jason Licht era. (This is the first draft for Licht, the Bucs' general manager.) Lovie loves his defense, but the Bucs had far bigger needs on the offensive side of the ball. With Evans, Jackson and running back
Doug Martin, the
Buccaneers have some promising talent at the skill positions. Evans was the most explosive player left on the board, and the
Buccaneers found a nice match of talent and need.
This is a roster that could contend for the playoffs in 2014, even with
Josh McCown starting at quarterback. Look for Tampa to draft a quarterback to develop in the second or third round.
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