How Mike Evans' Extension will Impact 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk's price tag just went up.

That's because Mike Evans just signed a two-year, $52 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Evans is 30, he was second team All Pro last season, he had 79 catches, averaged 15.9 yards per reception and caught 58.1 percent of his targets. Good numbers. That's why he'll earn an average of $26 million the next two seasons despite his advancing age and decreasing speed.

Aiyuk is 25, and he was a second team All Pro last season, too. He had 75 catches, averaged 17.9 yards per reception and caught 71.4 percent of his targets. Which means he simply was more efficient than Evans.

So if Evans is worth $26 million per season at 30, what is Aiyuk worth at 25?

And don't talk to me about Evans' career. Sure, he's a future Hall of Famer, but he's not getting better. He's getting worse. Investing big money in a receiver who's older than 30 is a big risk.

Meanwhile, Aiyuk certainly is getting better -- he still hasn't reached his full potential, because the 49ers won't give enough targets. They artificially suppress his market value by making him a second- or third-option when he should be the first-option in the passing game. Should get at least 150 targets per season.

Aiyuk's agent should accept no less than $27 million per season from the 49ers. And if the 49ers don't want to spend that much, they can trade to a team that will.

Simple.