Mike Evans Rumors: Giants Checked in on WR Before New $52M Bucs Contract | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The New York Giants reportedly explored a potential run at Mike Evans before the Pro Bowl wideout agreed to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the free-agent period.

Jordan Raanan of ESPN reported the Giants "never seemed they were going to be players at the top of [Evans'] market" but may be signaling a potential move for a veteran wide receiver. New York, which has the No. 6 pick, has been tabbed as one of the likeliest teams to take a wide receiver in the first round this year.

The Bucs inked Evans to a two-year, $52 million contract Monday, agent Deryk Gilmore told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Michael Pittman, Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown are set to lead the free-agent crop at receiver after Evans' deal.

The Giants will likely explore those options and other veterans like Gabe Davis, Darnell Mooney and Tyler Boyd as they try to improve one of the NFL's worst receiving corps. No Giants receiver has topped 1,000 yards since Odell Beckham in 2018.

The 2024 class is considered brimming with talent at wide receiver. It's unlikely the Giants will be able to land consensus top wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., but LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze are potential superstars in their own right.

One could argue that the Giants are better off making a splash in the draft rather than pursuing an aging veteran. This Giants roster did not look like it was anywhere close to a deep playoff run last season, and lavishing a veteran pushing the age of 30 isn't going to put them over the top.

While the team's issues offensively start at quarterback, it's unlikely any of the draft's top players at that position will be available.