Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Reveals Mike Evans Was Almost Drafted By Another Team In The 2014 NFL Draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 50th season celebration brought together franchise legends, but one revelation from GM Jason Licht stopped everyone in their tracks. Speaking directly to Mike Evans at the Raise the Flags documentary premiere, Licht dropped a bombshell: “You’re welcome for not going to Cleveland.”

That seemingly casual comment revealed one of the most consequential decisions in Buccaneers history. On draft day 2014, Tampa Bay came within a phone call of trading away their franchise’s greatest offensive weapon before they even knew what they had.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Jason Licht’s Draft Day Dilemma

Picture the scene: April 2014, Jason Licht’s first NFL Draft as Tampa Bay’s general manager. The Buccaneers held the seventh overall pick, and an unnamed team dangled what Licht described as “a pretty good deal” to move up. The pressure was mounting, the clock was ticking, and a rookie GM faced his first major franchise-altering decision.

Behind the scenes, Licht had fallen in love with Mike Evans during the pre-draft process. The Texas A&M receiver possessed everything the Buccaneers desperately needed: size, speed, and the ability to create mismatches that defensive coordinators lose sleep over. At 6’5″ with reliable hands and route-running precision, Evans represented the type of difference-maker that transforms struggling offenses.

But trades on draft day aren’t just about talent evaluation—they’re about asset management, team building, and sometimes, pure gut instinct. The anonymous team’s offer would have provided Tampa Bay with additional draft capital to address multiple needs across their roster. For a rebuilding franchise, that kind of flexibility can be incredibly tempting.

Licht’s decision to decline reveals the importance of conviction in draft strategy. He recognized that elite talent at premium positions doesn’t come around often, especially not players with Evans’ unique combination of physical gifts and football IQ.

What If Evans Had Gone to Cleveland?

The timeline suggests Cleveland would have selected Evans eighth overall, reuniting him with his college quarterback Johnny Manziel, whom the Browns drafted 22nd overall in the same round. This pairing would have created one of the most intriguing “what if” scenarios in recent NFL history.

Evans and Manziel had developed exceptional chemistry at Texas A&M, where their connection helped elevate both players to national prominence. Manziel’s improvisational ability and Evans’ knack for finding soft spots in coverage had made them a dynamic duo in college football.

However, NFL history suggests this reunion would have been disastrous for both players. Manziel’s professional career lasted just two seasons, marked by off-field issues and struggles adapting to NFL defenses. Even a receiver of Evans’ caliber likely couldn’t have salvaged that partnership.

The Browns’ organizational instability during that period would have further complicated Evans’ development. Cleveland went through four different head coaches between 2014 and 2018, creating an environment where young players struggled to reach their potential. The franchise’s quarterback carousel would have denied Evans the consistent target share and offensive system stability he needed to flourish.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s patient approach to building around their young receiver created the perfect storm for sustained excellence. The Buccaneers provided Evans with adequate quarterback play, complementary weapons, and an offensive philosophy that maximized his unique skill set.

Mike Evans: A Franchise Cornerstone

The numbers speak volumes about Licht’s draft day wisdom. Evans has delivered eleven consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, a feat matched by only two other players in NFL history. His 105 career receiving touchdowns rank ninth all-time among wide receivers, and he’s still adding to that total.

But Evans’ impact extends far beyond individual statistics. He became the consistent offensive threat that allowed Tampa Bay to attract other elite players, including Tom Brady in 2020. The Buccaneers’ Super Bowl championship wouldn’t have been possible without the foundation Evans provided during the franchise’s rebuilding years.

His presence transformed Tampa Bay’s offensive identity from conservative and predictable to explosive and dynamic. Opposing defenses must account for Evans on every play, creating opportunities for teammates like Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, and the tight end rotation that helped power their championship run.

The Ripple Effects of Draft Day Decisions

Licht’s decision demonstrates how single draft choices can alter franchise trajectories for decades. Had Tampa Bay traded down, they likely would have missed the playoffs multiple times, never attracted Brady, and never experienced the validation of a Super Bowl championship.

The Browns, meanwhile, continued their quarterback struggles and offensive inconsistencies well into the following decade. Adding Evans wouldn’t have solved their systemic issues, but it might have provided some stability during their darkest years.

This revelation also highlights the importance of organizational fit in player development. Evans thrived in Tampa Bay’s culture and system, while the Browns’ dysfunction during that period would have stunted almost any player’s growth.

Draft day trades often look attractive on paper, but the best general managers recognize when they have a chance to select a truly special player. Licht’s willingness to trust his evaluation and resist the temptation of additional picks created the foundation for Tampa Bay’s recent success.

A Decade Later: Vindication

Looking back, Licht’s decision ranks among the best in recent Buccaneers history. Evans became not just a great player, but the cornerstone around which an entire franchise renaissance was built. His consistent excellence provided stability during coaching changes, quarterback transitions, and roster overhauls.

The anonymous team’s trade offer, no matter how attractive, couldn’t have provided the value that Evans has delivered over eleven seasons. Sometimes the best deals are indeed the ones you don’t make.

As the Buccaneers celebrate their 50th season, Mike Evans stands as living proof that draft day conviction, backed by thorough evaluation and organizational vision, can change everything. Cleveland’s loss became Tampa Bay’s greatest gain.