TE Evan Engram named Jaguars most exciting offseason addition

Tight end has been a position of need for the Jacksonville Jaguars these past few years, so they went ahead and signed Evan Engram in free agency. Despite the fact that he wasn’t the only player the Jags inked, he has been named their most exciting acquisition, and that’s some serious praise when you take into account that they also added wide receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently discussed every NFL Team’s most exciting offseason addition and Engram’s names popped up. Kay notes that the Jaguars have been desperate for “serviceable pass-catching tight ends” and believes they got one in Engram, who has shown potential over the last five years.

"They tried Tim Tebow — who had bee out of football for the past decade — as an option last offseason and swung a trade to bring in Dan Arnold from the Carolina Panthers early i the 2021 campaign. Arnold quickly became one of rookie QB Trevor Lawrence’s most targeted weapons but went down in Week 12 with a season-ending MCL sprain. He should be back and a steady option in 222, but Evan Engram offers more upside. Although he’s not in the upper echelon of playmaking tight ends, Engram has flashed elite potential during his first five years in the league and could benefit from a change of scenery."

A first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2017, Engram has caught at least 44 passes in every year he’s been in the league and has twice logged 60 or more. As Kay pointed out, he isn’t an upper-echelon tight end but has displayed flashes at times and made the Pro Bowl in 2020.

The Jaguars are counting on Evan Engram to give their TE room a boost.

Engram was arguably the best tight end available in free agency with Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki, and even David Njoku getting the franchise tag. The Jags gave the former Giant a one-year deal worth $9 million, so he will most likely have a feature role on offense.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson frequently used two-tight end sets during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, so Engram and Dan Arnold could be heavily involved on offense. Arnold was Jacksonville’s top tight end last year and become one of their top targets before an MCL injury cut his season short. If Engram can cut down on the drops — he’s had 29 in five years — and Arnold can stay healthy, the Jags could have a dynamic one-two punch at tight end.

Keep in mind that Engram was just one of many players general manager Trent Baalke signed in free agency. He brought in Christian Kirk and Zay Jones to bolster their wide receiver corps and both of them should get plenty of playing time. Along with Arnold, they will give the Jaguars’ a trio of dynamic players.

Engram’s deal with the Jags is for one year, so he will hit the open market in 2023. If he lives up to expectations, he will be in a position to ask for a long-term deal from Jacksonville and someone else, so he has a reason to play at a high level this upcoming season.