NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Sunday Debate: Mike Evans Fantasy Bounceback Player of 2016

By Brendan Pignataro

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates as he scores the game winning touchdown during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates as he scores the game winning touchdown during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Brendan Pignataro and Mark Morales-Smith will be debating a different topic each Sunday. This week will feature a debate on potential bounceback candidates in fantasy football. Is Mike Evans or Dez Bryant the best choice?

Summer is coming to an end, but thankfully fantasy football drafts are just beginning! One of the most important aspects of drafting in fantasy football is gauging which star players will bounce back from a down season. Whether it is a nagging injury, change in coaches, or just bad performances, some players are being undervalued based on their 2015 seasons.

Related Story: Sunday Debate: Dez Bryant Fantasy Bounceback Candidate

Unlike these players, Mark never bounces back in these Sunday Debates. Coming off another poor debate last week, he will try to suck up to the Dallas Cowboy fanbase with his choice of Dez Bryant. I have decided to go with Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans.

Is Evans even a bounceback candidate you ask? He did have 1,206 yards last season. However, his three total touchdowns were a huge decrease from his total of nine in 2014. After such a huge rookie season, the 6-foot-5, 231 beast definitely had a disappointing season. If you watched him closely last year his sophomore slump lasted all season.

The most concerning aspect of Evans second season was the amount of drop balls he had. Receptions that were easy for him during his rookie year became 50/50 balls. I do not foresee this trend to continue, and neither does Evans. It seems focus was the issue. Evans admitted to Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds “I wasn’t focused in some games. I have to practice more. I have to get better in practice with it. It just comes with repetition.”

What is very encouraging from last season is Evans got a total of 147 targets through 15 games. With the development of Jameis Winston and the chemistry between the two, that number could rise greatly. Evans is also still developing, and had another offseason to hone his special talents. If he can get over the issues with dropping the ball, there is no reason why he couldn’t be a top ten fantasy wide receiver this season.

Aug 1, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Now let’s discuss Mark’s bounceback candidate of Bryant. So far he has looked pretty healthy but I for one don’t trust him staying healthy for a full season. Then of course you have his quarterback Tony Romo (or should I say Zak Prescott). The 36-year-old veteran will now be sidelined 6-10 weeks with a broken bone in his back. Enter the rookie, who has played well this summer but will still be making his regular-season debut in less than two weeks.

The popular notion across fantasy football is that Bryant should be taken in the first round. That could be a colossal mistake. There’s way too many risks. Not only will Evans have a better season than Bryant, he may even have the better quarterback situation. Do yourself a favor, and bet on the superstar in the making.

Related Story: Stefon Diggs Will Lead You to Fantasy Title

Please check out Mark’s opposing article, and feel free to join in on the debate in the comments!

Home/Fantasy Football