With The First Pick
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Fifth-year Options on 2014 Rookie Contracts Coming up

By Carl Cockerham

Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs with the ball during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Tampa Bay won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs with the ball during the second half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Tampa Bay won 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The fifth-year option on Mike Evans’ contract came up this offseason and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made and easy decision.

Mike Evans was known as one of the top WR prospects coming up in the 2014 NFL Draft. And ever since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him, he has done nothing but produce. In his first three seasons, Evans has 238 catches for 3,578 yards and 27 TDs.

The Buccaneers didn’t have to wait either as he’s been a 1,000-yard WR since his rookie season. But in that third year, where you look to see what a prospect is, he was second team All-Pro. And he figures to be 2015 No. 1 overall QB Jameis Winston’s go-to guy for years to come.

So it of no surprise that the Buccaneers have exercised their option on Evans’ rookie contract. Of course, the team wants to talk about an extension that goes past Year 5. But first thing’s first, the Buccaneers bought themselves another year to negotiate what happens after 2018.

WRs Odell Beckham Jr., Sammy Watkins and Brandin Cooks come from the same draft class. OLB Jadeveon Clowney just got his option picked up by the Houston Texans not long ago. OLB/DE Khalil Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, is coming up too.

Right about this time, we’ll see a lot of options on rookie contracts get picked up. Either that or the teams they play for will have a fat, new contract waiting for them. It will be interesting to see what the Raiders do with Mack, who has even outperformed the option on his contract.

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