The biggest beneficiary of that addition is quarterback Brock Purdy, who now has a proven boundary and red-zone threat unlike any he's had during his NFL career.
Like many 49ers fans, Graziano is eager to see the impact Evans can make in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense as the veteran enters his 13th NFL season. The biggest question: Does the future Hall of Famer have enough left to elevate San Francisco's offense?
"A highly productive player still, when he's on the field, a reliable target," Graziano said. "You know, everything everybody's saying about what A.J. Brown can be for Drake Maye, I think applies for what Mike Evans can be for Brock Purdy, in terms of the different ways you can deploy him, what an effective weapon he is in the red zone, at the goal line.
"All that stuff you saw the Rams do last year where they were throwing one- and two-yard touchdown passes to Davante Adams, Evans is a guy that, if you want to do stuff like that, he's more than capable."
Graziano acknowledged that expecting Evans to play all 17 games at this stage of his career may be unrealistic. The veteran appeared in just eight games last season while dealing with hamstring and clavicle injuries.
"But when he's on the field, you're going to get elite production," Graziano added. "You always have with Mike Evans."
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoped to re-sign Evans, but the veteran receiver was looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to join another championship contender. With changes taking place in Tampa Bay, Graziano believes Evans may have anticipated a reduced role, further motivating him to continue his career elsewhere.
"So you might get a rejuvenated Mike Evans, and if he's anything like what he's been throughout his career, when he's on the field, you're going to have something extremely, extremely useful—potentially difference-making—at the wide receiver position."
Evans enters the 2026 season with 13,052 career receiving yards and 108 touchdowns. He will turn 33 next month.
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