3 potential replacements for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in free agency
![Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, October 23, 2022. The Jaguars trailed at the half 11 to 13 and lost to the Giants with a final score of 17 to 23. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 102322 Hsfb Bs Jaguars 30](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fblackandteal-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F19289314-850x560-efb6b86becf1468b15fc015d0be5b06f07ade6b16026feaa4e7f362667a3538c.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, October 23, 2022. The Jaguars trailed at the half 11 to 13 and lost to the Giants with a final score of 17 to 23. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 102322 Hsfb Bs Jaguars 30")
The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a season in which they made the playoffs and won the AFC South title. However, they have a few tough decisions ahead. Re-signing tight end Evan Engram is arguably the biggest one.
The former Ole Miss Rebel signed a one-year deal with the Jags last season and he’s set to hit the open market once again. He’s made it clear he wants to return to Jacksonville, going as far as saying last year was the best of his life. However, the Jaguars are currently $30 million over the cap and might not be able to offer Engram the kind of contract he would get in the open market.
Bringing Engram back seems like a realistic possibility but there’s an equal chance he will walk in free agency and the Jags must prepare for that scenario. If he does leave, here are three tight ends Jacksonville could sign in free agency.
No. 3 replacement for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram: Mike Gesicki
Jacksonville seemed like a potential destination for Mike Gesicki before the Miami Dolphins slapped him with the franchise tag last offseason. Looking back, the Jags are surely glad they signed Engram but if they lose him in free agency, they should consider making a bid for Gesicki.
A second-round pick by the Fins in 2018, Gesicki was highly productive in 2020 and 2021, catching a combined 126 passes for 1,483 yards with eight touchdowns. However, he’s coming off a season in which he tallied 32 receptions for 365 yards, the second-lowest output of his career. He did reach the end zone five times but Miami probably expected better numbers from their franchise player.
There were reports Gesicki didn’t fit head coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme and he isn’t a particularly great blocker. However, he’s excellent in a slot wide receiver role. The fact that he’s healthy and is a pretty good receiving option would make him an appealing option in free agency.