It was apparent earlier this week that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Lee Evans was available in trade. The Baltimore Ravens wasted no time and have traded a fourth round pick in next year’s draft in exchange for the inconsistent, but talented wideout. The move creates a ripple effect of change in dynasty value. We examine the parties involved.
Lee Evans, WR BAL
Evans badly needed a fresh start after taking a back seat to Steve Johnson last season. Over his seven year career in Buffalo, he posted 377 catches, 5,934 yards and scored 43 touchdowns.
Not bad, right?
The trouble with Evans has everything do with inconsistent play. Much of that can be attributed to poor quarterback play over the past few years, but his receiving yards total has dropped each of the past three years from 1,017 in 2008 to 578 last year. Though he did play in just 13 games last season, his past 29 games combined have yielded just 1,190 yards and eleven scores.
He simply didn’t fit in any longer.
Evans will go to Baltimore and attempt to fill their need for a vertical threat. It was apparent after the first preseason game that Tandon Doss and Torrey Smith simply aren’t ready for significant time this season and the Ravens are in “win now” mode.
For the first time in three years, Evans is back on the map. He comes with a lot of risk, but he can quite possibly return to WR3 status with this move. While that’s not enough to win you a title, he could become a worthy flex play again. Welcome back!
Joe Flacco, QB BAL
Flacco loves the deep ball and he just got someone who excels in catching it. This could be interesting to watch!
Anquan Boldin, WR BAL
We’re much more concerned with the lack of explosion we’re seeing from him than the acquisition of Evans. He’s still the number one option, but he looks the part of a very highly paid possession receiver at this point.
Torrey Smith, WR BAL
Smith had a nightmare of a game last night that featured him running the wrong routes, getting confused on the play calls and basically looking lost. The Ravens were concerned enough to trade away a draft pick to get a different option as their number two receiver – that tells you enough about his development.
Smith is still fine long-term, but the owners who were hoping to see him start this year have to be disappointed. He needs some time to develop.
Tandon Doss, WR BAL
Much like Smith, Doss’ immediate value takes a hit. He won’t be seeing the field nearly as much with Evans in the fold. Again, don’t read too much into this. He’s still a solid prospect and receivers just take a lot of time to develop.
James Hardy, WR BAL
I was almost ready to believe he had a comeback in him. Now, not so much.
Steve Johnson, WR BUF
Any question as to who the man is now? While it’s going to be tough for him to repeat his performance from last season, there’s no doubt the offense is going to run through Mr. Johnson.
David Nelson, WR BUF
The number two job is up for grabs in Buffalo and there are plenty of candidates. Brad Smith, Roscoe Parrish, Donald Jones and Buster Davis are all fighting for positioning on the Bills depth chart. At this point, Nelson has to be the favorite to win the job and is worthy of a pickup in most deep leagues, unless…
Marcus Easley, WR BUF
…Easley can stay healthy and make his mark this training camp. As one of our favorite sleepers, the move of Evans helps him as well. Of all the receivers outside of Johnson, Nelson and Easley easily have the most upside. Easley is worth a flier as well – you just have to hope he can stay healthy.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB BUF
You’d think losing Evans would be a significant blow, but he didn’t use him when he was there. Though the threat of Evans was significant and he did draw some double teams, it’s hard to justify tanking Fitzpatrick’s value based on this move.
Andre Roberts, WR ARI
Owners of Roberts were hoping Evans wouldn’t be shipped to Arizona. Getting their wish ensures that Roberts is still in the mix with Early Doucet for the coveted second wide receiver position next to Larry Fitzgerald.
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Good breakdown, as always….
my thoughts…
Evans gets a boost. Flacco has a cannon for an arm and needs a vet that can stretch the field so he sees a nice boost in value as well – IMO. He won’t have to rely so much on rookies Smith and Doss and can go deep now. T. Smith actually gains long term dynasty value – imo. He struggled with running routes all camp and Evans can help him with that, especially deep.
S. Johnson better hope that either Parrish, Easley or Nelson can draw at least a little attention in Buffalo. I’d like to see Buffalo spread Spiller out wide more often and take advantage of his speed in space.
houdini, as a joe flacco, lee evans and torrey smith owner, i really like your thoughts there and i hope you are right…definitely agree with you on spiller as well
I guess this opens up room for TO to come back to the Bills…. right?
You didn’t mention how the signing would effect R.Rice??? I see this giving him much more room with defenses having to watch the deep threat. Last year they knew BAL didn’t have a deep threat and could focus on BAL smash mouth running game. Now Evans will keep them a little more honest giving Rice more room…
This is a good move for WR Baldwin, he is alot better with someone stretching the field. Giving him room to work in the middle of the field.