MikeEvans

News: 2 days agoEvans secured six of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Spin: Evans shrugged off recent nagging injuries to hit the ground running in his 49ers regular-season debut, recording three catches for 22 yards on the opening possession alone. He would go on to double up that reception tally by game's end, tying for the team lead in that category with Deebo Samuel while also drawing even with his teammate for second in targets. Evans also was on the receiving end of the second of Brock Purdy's three touchdown passes, muscling his way to a contested two-yard grab in the left corner of the end zone in the third quarter. If early returns are any indication, the Purdy-Evans connection could be a prolific one throughout the season, and a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20 presents as a particularly promising matchup.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Evans signed with the 49ers after spending his first 12 NFL seasons with the Buccaneers. The future Hall of Famer famously opened his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, but that streak ended when he missed nine games due to injury last season. Even when active, Evans wasn't his usual, productive self, delivering only one weekly fantasy finish better than 23rd and none better than 11th. Now 33 years old, Evans is past his prime, but he's in line for a decent chunk of the targets, especially near the goal line, in Kyle Shanahan's high-scoring offense. Evans is best valued as a touchdown-dependent WR3/flex with more value in non-PPR formats.