FalcFans Forums

There has been speculation that for the right price the Bills would be willing to trade Lee Evans.

Evans just turned 30 3 weeks ago, and probably could be had for a 3rd rounder.

Is it worth it to use a 3rd round pick on a WR that can still be productive for a few more years and can be immediately productive, or going with the young draft pick that has more long-term potential.

Evans contract is up after 2012 and he's due a $1.5 million roster bonus on the 5th day of the league year, whenever that is.


From ESPN Insider Rumors Section:

--

Lee Evans' future in Buffalo
5:11PM ET
Lee Evans | Bills

Top
Email
Comments

UPDATE: During his ESPN.com chat this week, Matt Williamson of Scouts, Inc. commented on whether the Buffalo Bills would consider trading wide receiver Lee Evans (find his take below).

---

Adam Caplan of Fox Sports reported on Monday afternoon that the Bills have some intriguing decisions to make once the NFL's next business year kicks off. Though their plans with defensive end Dwan Edwards -- who is due a $1.2 million roster bonus on the third day of the next league year, according to Caplan's source -- will help to shape what they'll do on defense, one of their most high-profile offensive weapons could be sent packing as well.

According to what a source has told Caplan, Evans is due a $1.5 million bonus on the fifth day of the league year -- after the lockout ends -- and a base salary of $3.275 million for the 2011 season. It's not a huge bonus, considering that there are some who believe Evans can play at a Pro Bowl level, though he hit career lows in both receptions and receiving yards in 2010 (as Steve Johnson emerged as Ryan Fitzpatrick's go-to WR).

Speaking from the NFL league meetings last week, Bills head coach Chan Gailey provided his appraisal of the areas in which Evans needs to improve. "Early in the year it was the same as I watched on film the year before, people doubling Lee to take him out of the game. People saw the threat and they were going to make sure Lee didn't beat them," Gailey said, per Caplan. "As the year went on, that started to balance up and not swing his way after about mid-season. He had a couple of games that were good. But I'm hoping that we can really get Lee consistent running routes and consistent at doing a lot of things. He's been more of a deep threat. I've got to get him to do a better job of becoming an underneath threat. I've got to do a better job of that."

Given that the Bills don't necessarily have a replacement for Evans on hand, this decision might be easier than some may think. But if he's unable to improve on his 2010 performance in Year 2 of the Gailey regime, that decision might be reversed at the outset of the 2012 offseason.

His YAC was only 121 with 37 receptions. For a 3rd rounder I would hope for more although the cost isn't that much.I think Jenkins will be no2 receiver whoever we get but I'd like to get on with the process of grooming someone to be his replacement meaning a drafted receiver.

A 3rd round pick for a 30 year old receiver is a bit much, but at the same time he would more than likely come in and make an impact on the O from the jump. I think he would flourish opposite of Roddy. If we were able to make the deal for a conditional pick then I would be all for it (Not sure if that would be possible since there is no CBA in place, so I don't know if you can trade future picks.). I always liked Lee Evans' game, personally I think him going to Buffalo ruined his career. If we did bring him in it we would be able to draft a project at WR in the later rounds and develop him. With all that said if the deal was on the table on Draft day and we landed a nice DE in the first round I would make the trade.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/0 ... -for-bills

Evans' role will change for Bills

Posted March 25, 2011 @ 11:59 a.m. ET
By Eli Kaberon

It was a tough 2010 season for Bills WR Lee Evans. The veteran wideout had one splendid game: Week Seven vs. the Ravens, where he posted 6-105-3 in an overtime loss. Other than that, however, Evans never caught more than five passes or went over 87 receiving yards in a game and only scored one other touchdown. Then, to add injury to insult, his season ended in Week 14 after an ankle injury forced him to go on I.R.

With Evans now healthy, head coach Chan Gailey has new plans for the team's former big-play wideout. Speaking at the NFL owners meetings in New Orleans, Gailey told reporters the role of Evans will change in 2011. "He's been more of a deep threat," Gailey said. "I've got to get him to do a better job of becoming an underneath threat. I've got to do a better job of that." With emerging WRs Stevie Johnson, David Nelson and Naaman Roosevelt set to see their roles increase as well, Evans' place in the receiving corps may depend on his ability to adjust to his coach's request. Buffalo was not very successful throwing underneath last year, averaging 5.49 yards on short passes, which ranked in the bottom third of the NFL. However, using a veteran receiver on more shallow routes could be a major boost to the offense if Evans adapts well.

I always liked Evans, but don't think he's what we need. A deep threat at WR doesn't help us a ton unless he can go up and get the ball, as Ryan doesn't throw a good deep ball (even Jenkins often has a step and they don't end up well). If he could use his speed on underneath routes, and go deep, that would be more useful.

I still think, until Ryan gets better at the deep ball (and there's no guarantee) we should give him a deep threat that can help him out (a la Plaxico, Vincent Jackson, etc.) and quick guys who can get YAC (but be a little sturdier than HD). Ryan can take advantage of those guys today, and both will help out the offense a lot. I'm not against the smaller guys if they fight for the deep ball (like S Smith Carolina).

I don't want a 30 year old receiver, in this case I'd go with the draft pick....

Lee Evans = Peerless Price?