Fantasy Football: Hot Take Predictions for Every NFC South Team

#4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans will not finish as a WR1

Mike Evans is a superb NFL Wide Receiver. He is a physical specimen who can go up and get the ball. He is the favourite target for his QB Jameis Winston, but his 71 receptions in 2017 were the lowest since his rookie season. This is a huge 26% drop on his 2016 season where he tallied 96 receptions.

This isn’t down to Evans play, but more the fact that the Bucs are struggling as a team now. He could bounce back and put up big numbers again if Winston can play to the standard most are expecting from him. However, I don’t think Winston will take that next step and his WRs will, therefore, fail to put up big numbers. Also, Ronald Jones was drafted this offseason to add a stronger running game.

Will this team move to a more run-heavy approach? It's possible. The Bucs also like sophomore player Chris Godwin, who is likely to play more snaps as the season goes on. He could steal a few targets away from Evans if he impresses from the slot.

Tampa Bay also has two good Tight Ends in Cameron Brate and OJ Howard, both of who are big RedZone targets.

Another reason I think he could finish outside of the Top 12 WRs is that of the suspension to Jameis Winston.

Winston is banned for the first three games of the season, leaving Ryan Fitzpatrick as the QB to start the season.

Even though Fitzmagic is one of the more capable backups in the league, Evans’ output has to take a hit over those first three games. With so many big names and quality WRs in this league, I can see Evans disappointing his fantasy owners, considering the draft capital you have to give up to acquire him.