3 reasonable expectations for Jaguars TE Evan Engram in 2022

Tight end has been an area of need for the Jacksonville Jaguars in recent years but the team’s brass expect Evan Engram to give the unit a boost in 2022. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the former Ole Miss Rebel spent his first five seasons with the New York Giants. He signed a one-year deal worth $9 million with the Jags earlier this year and should step into the No. 1 tight end role from Day 1.

During an appearance in the team’s O-Zone podcast, Engram said a “chance to flourish in Pederson’s system” was a big reason he joined the Jags.

"It’s a bet on myself… I saw the situation. I saw Doug and the staff he had put together and the history he has had with tight ends. Tight ends like myself have been successful in his system."

Engram is right when he said he bet on himself. If he becomes the dynamic weapon Jacksonville expects, he will earn a long-term deal, from the Jaguars or someone else, next offseason. With that in mind, here are three realistic expectations for the tight end in 2022.

3. Evan Engram should score 6 touchdowns for the Jaguars in 2022

The Jaguars have gotten poor production from their tight end room in recent years. Last season, they got a measly two touchdowns from the position, one from Chris Manhertz and the other from Jacob Hollister. The year before wasn’t much better, with Tyler Eifert scoring two touchdowns.

Evan Engram isn’t a scoring machine but he’s previously shown he can be an effective weapon if used correctly. Back in 2017, he had a solid six touchdowns but has had a combined 10 in the last four years. If he can earn the trust of the coaching staff and cut down on the number of drops, he should see plenty of time in red-zone packages, which will in turn increase his chances to score. Scoring six or seven touchdowns doesn’t seem too farfetched.