Jaguars TE Evan Engram voted among league's best in ESPN ranking
It's never too late to reinvent yourself. Ask Evan Engram. The Jacksonville Jaguars' tight end signed with the team in March 2022 for a one-year, $9 million contract. More money than a true "prove-it" deal, but still just a one-year contract. Engram proved in 2022 he was worth every penny of what the team paid […]
It's never too late to reinvent yourself. Ask Evan Engram.
The Jacksonville Jaguars' tight end signed with the team in March 2022 for a one-year, $9 million contract. More money than a true "prove-it" deal, but still just a one-year contract.
Engram proved in 2022 he was worth every penny of what the team paid him, totaling career bests in receptions (73) and yards (766), both of which were franchise records for the position.
Now, it appears the rest of the league is starting to take notice. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler is publishing a series of posts where dozens of league executives, scouts, coaches, and players were surveyed to give their top 10 players at each respective position. Fowler released the list of tight ends on Thursday, and Engram checked in at #8 on the list.
Evaluators stuck with Engram despite lean years in New York, placing him in 2021's top 10 amid pedestrian production.
Fast forward and he is deservedly back among the best after a banner year in Jacksonville.
Engram ranked among the top four in tight ends in receptions (73), receiving yards (766) and yards after the catch (475). He was particularly good late in the year, during Jacksonville's playoff push, ranking third among all NFL players in yards after catch (294).
"He can create mismatches from various alignments, and he can win against various types of defensive personnel — linebacker, corner, safety," a high-ranking NFL official said. "Underrated blocker." – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com
Engram has been a menace both inside and outside the hashes. Whether catching a drag and breaking to the goal line, catching a fade over a linebacker, or beating a safety to the corner of the end zone, Engram did it all last season in the passing game. And, as the survey noted, Engram's blocking ability doesn't get enough credit.
The question is: do the Jaguars see the same thing that the surveyed NFL expert do? Engram's strong season earned the franchise tag from the Jaguars back in March, which will give Engram a fully guaranteed $11.345 million salary for 2023. If the two sides cannot reach a deal by July 17, then Jaguars will not be able to secure Engram to a long-term deal during the season.
Engram's popularity among executives, coaches, and his peers likely means that someone will be willing to give him a lofty contract should he have a follow up season to his successful 2022 production. If the Jaguars want to keep their star tight end beyond this season, they'll need to act fast.
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Featured image via Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK
