Mike Evans helped make the 2014 rookie receiver class one of the best in NFL history.
Along with Odell Beckham Jr., Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin, John Brown, Martavis Bryant, Jordan Matthews and others, the young group boasts a potent combo of playmaking and stardom.
When asked by USA Today's Tom Pelissero recently if there is a competition within the group to be the best, Evans wouldn't constrain it to merely his own draft class.
"I'm just trying to be the best, period," he said.
The boisterous comment belies much of the persona Evans exudes in the article, wherein we learn he's a huge Harry Potter fan and would rather eat Chipotle and watch a movie than go to a nightclub.
Evans' declaration does underscore his drive to compete at everything -- at one point he considered challenging the reporter to see who could eat their dinner faster.
While Beckham bathed in the spotlight in 2014, especially after his ridiculous one-handed catch on Sunday Night Football, Evans put up his 12-touchdown, 1,051-yard season relatively quietly on a two-win Buccaneers team.
With Jameis Winston under the helm and Evans taking over the "X" receiver role in the Bucs' new offense under coordinator Dirk Koetter, the second-year pass catcher is confident he can push his name further into the national consciousness.
"If we all get 200 targets, put in the same situations," Evans said, "I think I'll do just as good as anybody."
Evans added that he's dropped weight to help avoid some of the nagging injuries that held him out of practices last year. The 21-year-old wideout also spent the offseason learning from Randy Moss.
Given his size, ability and improved opportunity in a better offense, it would be a surprise if Evans didn't force his way into the heated discussion of the top 10 receivers in the NFL in 2015.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast welcomes back Colleen Wolfe to discuss non-Super Bowl contenders, and an all-new 'Orr You Kidding Me.' Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
