Mike Evans. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Why Dan Orlovsky has high expectations for WR Mike Evans with the 49ers

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Mar 10, 2026 11:16 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers wasted no time making a big move once the NFL's negotiating window for free agents opened on Monday, agreeing to a three-year, $60.4M deal with longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans.

While the timing of the deal raised tampering questions, this is a huge move for a 49ers team that dealt with the drama surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and key injuries throughout the 2025 season.

Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky was on Tuesday's edition of "Get Up" and believes Evans' impact will be felt instantly.

Dan Orlovsky sees Mike Evans fitting in well with 49ers

"He's going to be to Brock Purdy what Davante Adams was to Matthew Stafford," Orlovsky said. "Everyone talked about Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams this past year and all the one-yard or two-yard touchdown passes. That's exactly what Mike Evans is going to be. There's one quarterback in the last 20 years in the NFL that has completed over 50 percent, over 50 percent of the throws that he has thrown into the end zone. That's Brock Purdy. Now you add Mike Evans there."

"He's going to be to Brock Purdy what Davante Adams was to Matthew Stafford."

—@danorlovsky7 on Mike Evans' potential impact with the 49ers pic.twitter.com/cN8xn08JL4
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 10, 2026

Prior to the 2025 season when Evans played in just eight games due to a broken collarbone, he had put together a record-tying 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. That type of production and reliability is why Orlovsky believes the addition of Evans is "enormous" for the entire team.

"How many corners truly can you put out there by themselves at the three-yard line and say, 'You go cover Mike Evans one-on-one?' There aren't many, so you're gonna get so many easy touchdown passes down in the red zone and then, you're gonna get so many easy looks for Christian McCaffrey, for George Kittle and that run game. This is an enormous addition."

Evans was one of several WR1s who agreed to huge deals on Monday, but what his addition means to a 49ers team coming off a divisional-round appearance cannot be ignored.

The 49ers ranked 24th in the league last season in receptions from WRs (161). In fact, running back Christian McCaffrey was the team's leading receiver (924 yards), further highlighting San Francisco's need for a go-to WR option for Purdy.

As Orlovsky alluded to, Purdy has been historically efficient when putting the ball in the end zone. Having someone of Evans' caliber in his arsenal should only make him that much more dangerous and help San Francisco keep pace in a stacked NFC West.

There are still a lot of moves to be made once the free-agent period officially opens on Wednesday, but this looks like a home run for a 49ers team that desperately needed some receiving help going into next season.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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