The San Francisco 49ers are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the wide receiver room is front and center on the priority list. With Brandon Aiyuk likely on his way out and Jauan Jennings potentially heading elsewhere in free agency, San Francisco could be without its top two pass catchers not named Deebo Samuel. Add in the injury concerns surrounding Ricky Pearsall, and suddenly, what was once a position of strength is looking dangerously thin.
That brings us to a name that should have the 49ers' full attention: Mike Evans.
Evans, a soon-to-be free agent, is coming off the most challenging season of his career - one that saw him miss significant time and finish with just 368 yards and three touchdowns over eight games. For the first time in 12 NFL seasons, he didn’t eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. But let’s not forget the bigger picture: this is a six-time Pro Bowler who’s been one of the league’s most consistent big-play threats, regardless of who’s been throwing him the football.
And that’s exactly the kind of veteran presence Kyle Shanahan could use right now.
The 49ers have had their share of hits and misses at wide receiver in the draft during Shanahan’s tenure. And while they’re likely to target the position again in April, history tells us that rookies often need time to get up to speed in Shanahan’s system.
It’s complex, demanding, and not always friendly to first-year players. Just look at how long it’s taken some young receivers to earn consistent snaps in this offense.
That’s where a player like Evans fits in perfectly.
At 6'5", Evans brings a physicality and red-zone presence that this current group lacks. He’s the kind of player who commands attention from defenses the moment he steps on the field - which, in turn, opens things up for everyone else.
Think back to 2019, when the Niners brought in Emmanuel Sanders midseason. His presence didn’t just help the offense; it accelerated the development of then-rookie Deebo Samuel.
Evans could offer a similar impact, both as a reliable target and a mentor for younger receivers like Pearsall.
Of course, there are hurdles. Tampa Bay could still re-sign Evans or slap the franchise tag on him.
But there’s been buzz that the veteran wideout wants to chase a ring - and that puts a team like San Francisco firmly in the mix. The Niners are built to win now, and adding a future Hall of Famer with Evans’ résumé would only strengthen that case.
Financially, it won’t be easy. San Francisco has other roster needs to address, and Evans won’t come cheap, even coming off a down year. But if the 49ers can find a way to make the numbers work, it’s a swing worth taking.
Because while the draft may offer long-term answers, Evans offers something the Niners need right now: a proven, reliable, game-changing receiver who can help keep this offense humming - and maybe help push this team over the top.