Bucs sign first-round pick Mike Evans, third-rounder Charles Sims
TAMPA, Fla. -- Wide receiver Mike Evans and running back Charles Sims have signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs announced the signing of Evans, their first-round pick, seventh overall, early Thursday afternoon. The four-year deal includes a fifth-year option and reportedly is worth $14.6 million with an $8.96 million signing bonus.
Evans, a Texas A&M product, set a program record with 1,394 receiving yards as a sophomore last season. He also tied the school record with 12 receiving touchdowns, 10th-most in the nation. A native of Galveston, Texas, he was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award last year.
"It's just a blessing, man," Evans said. "I've never seen that many zeroes. It's pretty tight, man. It's a dream come true.
"I was just thinking about my family and being about to help them out."
Meanwhile, the Bucs announced Sims' four-year deal later Thursday, after the team's final mini-camp practice. The West Virginia product, taken in the third round, 69th overall, had 3,465 yards rushing and 40 touchdowns throughout a college career that included four years at Houston and one at West Virginia.
With the signings of Evans and Sims, only tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, picked in the second round, remains unsigned among Tampa Bay’s six draft picks.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
