BFC - EVANS TRADED TO THE RHINOS

 

It was a trade which sparked a few talking points yesterday, but it is a confirmed trade nonetheless.

Mike Evans, who was ranked WR10, on points-per-game, in the BFFL on our points format in 2020, was traded to the Merseyside Rhinos yesterday by the Suffolk Eagles. The Eagles also sent their 15th and 19th round picks as part of the deal and received the Rhinos 9th and 20th round picks in return.

The Rhinos have confirmed that Evans will be their keeper in the wide receiver department for 2021.

"The team is starting to come together now, assuming players come back from injury," said Mark, the GM of the Rhinos as he headed out of the office yesterday. "We are extremely excited to bring in players like Barkley and Evans and get Dak back, to build on a strong defense from last year," continued Mark.

This then cemented the fact that the Rhinos were naming Evans, Barkley and Dak as their keepers for 2021, with five more spots still to be announced from Merseyside.

With the draft picks they obtained from this deal, the Eagles now have multiple rounds, so far, where they have double picks. These are in rounds 2, 9, 11 and 20.

Paul, the GM of the Suffolk Eagles held a press conference where he spoke about the trade and his plans moving forward. When asked about the Evans trade, he had this to say.

"I like Evans, he is a consistent performer over multiple seasons. However, I also have Michael Thomas who I drafted in the first round last year. It wasn't a straightforward choice on who to keep, but I went for ceiling over floor."

The gathered press were eager to know how the deal came about. Paul was happy to explain.

"I am fortunate to have done a full analysis of the keeper strength across the leagues, so I knew I was limited to one or two trade partners. Mark, at Merseyside, had previously offered me a 14th round pick but was only keeping Diontae Johnson, so Evans was a huge upgrade. After two weeks of back and forth negotiations, we got to a 9th pick and a switching of some lower picks."

The question of the multiple picks cropped up and was this a factor in the deal?

"This does give me back-to-back picks in Round 9 and with another pick of consequence. I could, of course, kept Evans, released him into the pool and made someone use their 2nd or 3rd pick on him. For me and my reasonably thorough planning, the numbers worked better on taking every down of IDP players in mid-rounds where I now have three extra picks."

Were there other receivers on the radar, pre-draft or during draft?

"I personally won't be signing a receiver in the first two rounds (of the draft) and would only have taken Evans if he slipped into round three. Furthermore, Mark is not a divisional rival and if as a league we don't trade, it stagnates."

Paul finished off the press conference with comments on the league.

"The beauty of this league is its differences and the sense of community and whatever happens, I won't be harming its ethos."

Paul concluded the press conference by thanking the gathered journalists and the loyal Eagles fans.

Both the Rhinos and Eagles were divisional champions last season, in the North and East respectively.  The Rhinos took a strong early lead but let a few games slip towards the end allowing other teams to come within touching distance, but eventually took the divisional honours with a 9-4 record. Whereas, the Eagles, playing in a very tough and competitive East Division, took the title with the top spot swapping around on multiple occasions. They managed to chalk up a 10-3 record and win the division by two games.

Both teams were unable to progress from the Divisional Playoff and they are now both focused on the 2021 season and defending their Divisional titles.

The Commish

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