The San Francisco 49ers‘ newest receiver didn’t crack ESPN’s top 10 wide receivers for 2026, but Mike Evans wasn’t far off, landing among seven honorable mentions in the outlet’s annual survey of executives, coaches and scouts.
An NFC scout offered the following assessment of the six-time Pro Bowler, who signed a three-year, $60.4 million deal with the 49ers in March: “He’s declining, but he’s sort of timeless, still big and athletic and gets open. Will be interesting to see how [49ers head coach] Kyle Shanahan utilizes him in different ways.”
As the scout suggested, age and a rocky 2025 season likely factored into voters’ hesitance. Evans, who turns 33 in August, was limited to eight games last season by a hamstring injury and a broken collarbone, finishing with 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns. It was the worst output of his 12-year career, and the first time he failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards.
Evans now steps into a 49ers offense that lost its leading receiver from a year ago, Jauan Jennings, in free agency, positioning him as San Francisco’s clear No. 1 target under Shanahan. Some analysts believe that role could push Evans toward a league-leading touchdown total as a clear redzone and endzone target for quarterback Brock Purdy. 49ers tight end George Kittle, meanwhile, claimed Evans is the first legit WR1 the team has had in some time.
The 2026 snub is a departure from where Evans has typically lived in these rankings. He appeared in ESPN’s top 10 three consecutive years from 2020-22, dropped out in 2023, then climbed back to No. 8 heading into 2024 and checked in at No. 9 last year.
The hope for the 49ers is that Evans outplays this sentiment from rival NFL decision-makers and keeps San Francisco’s playoff hopes alive in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: New 49ers star left off ESPN’s top-10 players list for 2026
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