One of the more underrated players in recent Bills history is wide receiver Lee Evans. Next week when the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, Evans will have the honor of announcing one of Buffalo’s selections.
Evans won’t be announcing the Bills’ first-round pick, as that role is reserved for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. However, Evans could do Buffalo’s 56th or 62nd overall selection in the second round. The Bills have 10 picks in total.
Evans was selected by Buffalo in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft with the No. 13 overall selection. The Bills had two first-round picks that year, selecting quarterback J.P. Losman at No. 22 overall. Buffalo hoped that Losman and Evans would be a lethal duo for years to come, but unfortunately Losman never panned out.
Evans on the other hand was a good pick. He may have never been considered among the elite WRs of his time, but he had plenty of productive years. Evans racked up at least 500 receiving yards in seven of his eight seasons in the NFL. His nine touchdown catches as a rookie remains a Bills’ record to this day.
Evans’ best season came in 2006 when he recorded 82 receptions for 1,292 yards and eight touchdowns. His tenure in Buffalo ended a bit on a sour note in 2010 as he missed the final three games of the season due to an ankle injury. Evans has the third-most receiving yards (5,934) and touchdowns (43) in franchise history, in addition to the fourth most receptions (377).
In the 2011 offseason Evans was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. It was an injury riddled season for him, appearing in just nine games and posting just four receptions for 74 yards. In 2012 he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was unable to make the team, leading him to retire. Evans may be underrated on a national scale, but Bills fans will always have plenty of fond memories of him.