Buccaneers' Mike Evans: Should benefit from addition of DeSean Jackson

Evans, who posted a career-best 96 receptions for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2016 while often facing double coverage, stands to significantly benefit from the team's addition of receiver DeSean Jackson in free agency.

Analysis:

The towering receiver had his work cut out for him in 2016 and responded with an outstanding season, but was often bogged down by double and triple coverage, especially as the season went on. Former No. 2 receiver Vincent Jackson (knee) was lost for good after five games, and the Bucs eventually saw replacement Cecil Shorts III go down with a gruesome knee injury in Week 13. Outside of TE Cameron Brate, who enjoyed a breakout campaign of his own, Evans had no other pass catcher on the field with him that opposing defenses consistently had to account for, which naturally drove plenty of attention his way. Those types of scenarios should mostly be in the past now that the speedy Jackson is in town, and although Evans should see an overall reduction in the whopping 175 targets that went his way last season, he could well convert at a much more efficient rate. The 2014 first-round pick posted 50 and 55 percent catch rates over the last two seasons, respectively, numbers that leave plenty of room for improvement. With the possibility of much more one-on-one coverage with Jackson opposite him, Evans could certainly see an uptick in that department, as well as the career-low 13.8 YPC he posted last season under frequent duress.