Jaguars: Some NFL teams have doubts about recent Evan Engram report
The Jaguars might just surprise everyone in the NFL ahead of free agency if they are right.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to franchise tag tight end Evan Engram prior to Tuesday's deadline, reported Adam Schefter earlier in the week.
But will they actually do it?
Some NFL teams have their doubts, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The league insider put together an article on several lessons learned from the NFL Scouting Combine and he included a very interesting tidbit of information regarding the Jaguars.
According to Fowler, some in the league still believe the team could wind up changing their reported plans at the last minute.
"One player with a massive market is Jacksonville Jaguars right tackle Jawaan Taylor, whom some teams believe could command up to $17-18 million per year," wrote Fowler in the article. "Pass-protecting right tackles are scarce. The Jags are pushing hard to keep him, and even though they plan to franchise-tag tight end Evan Engram, some teams are at least wondering if they'll use it on Taylor instead. Jacksonville definitely plans to keep both players if it can."
While it's no secret that Jacksonville wants to keep Taylor, it's the last sentence that raises an eyebrow. Using the franchise tag on Taylor would be quite the curveball and would leave a huge question mark for Engram's own future with the team.
The franchise tag for Taylor would cost $18.24 million. Conversely, Engram's tag would cost $11.35 million. Per Over the Cap, the Jags have $16M in cap space but the team has spent a lot of cash since 2021.
Keeping both will be a challenge but one worth figuring out as they attempt to make the most out of Trevor Lawrence's rookie deal.
For now, the expectation remains for the Jaguars to tag the tight end. But don't rule out a last-second change-up right before the deadline. Some NFL teams are ready for it.
Featured image via Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
