One might make the argument the San Francisco 49ers already countered the Los Angeles Rams' blockbuster trade for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, defensive end Myles Garrett, long before that particular transaction went official.
The Niners' move? Landing future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans, who only once missed out on a 1,000-yard receiving campaign, and that was due to a myriad of injuries in 2025.
Fans are certainly adjusting to the reality of Evans in a San Francisco uniform, in all the positive ways, of course. And the thought of the veteran receiver making a world of difference in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense isn't too hard to fathom.
Especially in light of the numerous receiver shortages the 49ers have endured over the last two years.
There's a long time before Niners fans can watch Evans in meaningful action, of course, but at least there are plenty of exciting early indicators from San Francisco's opening practices at organized team activities.
And those could provide some promising hints at what head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense might become this season.
Mike Evans is already delivering on promise to being 'missing piece' of 49ers offense
Granted, OTAs are padless sessions that involve more play installation rather than actual competition, and the lack of contact effectively sets the offense up for success.
That said, Evans has already been a featured part of the 49ers' social media captures from practices, and it's hard not to feel the buzz:
Rise & grind 🎯 pic.twitter.com/7NfrH93QPH
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 28, 2026
Highlight-reel clips from practices aside, Evans has already made an impression on some of the more critical team reporters, too, including Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn:
[Evans] caught a few passes from Brock Purdy during team drills. All of his catches came near the sideline, and Evans won with ease. He did not catch any passes over the middle nor did he run deep. He clearly is past his prime, but he's still effective when healthy. He looks like he'll be a monster for the 49ers in the low red zone.
From this outlook, it appears as if Evans will be a primary go-to option outside the numbers, which is what Purdy will need. And it's not as if the veteran receiver lacks for know-how and route-running skills either, which means he'll offer way more than what was simply observed at one practice.
As far as the deep passes, Evans isn't needed there. No, Shanahan's offense will look to deploy its speedier receivers, Jacob Cowing and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, to take the top off defenses, thereby allowing Evans to thrive more underneath and toward the boundary.
That has plenty of room to become dangerous, and San Francisco fans won't mind that whatsoever, especially in light of the NFC West arms race.
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