Top 5 Potential Suitors for Lee Evans
With rumors swirling that Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Lee Evans is available for trade, speculation is starting to heat up as to where he could go. Randy Moss is retired, Terrell Owens is still rehabbing, and Jerricho Cotchery hasn’t found a home, which could make Evans the most coveted receiving option available at the moment.
Here’s our take on five teams that could use an upgrade at receiver and could take a shot at Evans via a trade:
1. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are the only other team besides the Baltimore Ravens (who have dropped out of the running) that have been tied to a potential trade for Evans. With Steve Breaston gone to Kansas City, the Cardinals could still be thinking about landing a veteran to lineup opposite of Larry Fitzgerald, rather than chance it with young receivers such as Andre Roberts and Early Doucet. They seem like the most likely trade partner at the moment.
2. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota currently has Percy Harvin at the one spot and Bernard Berrian still at the two. Ask Brett Favre how that worked out for the majority of the 2010 season. If the Vikings are smart, they still have to be in the market for a veteran wide receiver who can do some damage. Signing Michael Jenkins didn’t get the job done.
3. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland had very little depth at receiver when Mohamed Massaquoi went down with a foot injury. With him out, second-year quarterback Colt McCoy could be in for a rough season with below-average weapons. Evans would provide veteran leadership at the position, and would immediately give McCoy a reliable target with some down-field speed.
4. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has reportedly passed on trying to trade for Evans, just as they passed on adding Jerricho Cotchery. Their stance might chance if young receivers Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss get hurt or don’t develop quickly enough.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
Do the Eagles need another wide receiver? No. Will they even think about trading for Evans? Probably not. However, Jeremy Maclin has undisclosed health issues and the team added Steve Smith recently. If Smith can’t return in time and Maclin misses action, Evans could be on their radar. After all, they’ve signed just about everyone else so far in free agency.
Honorable Mentions: Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders
