3 potential replacements for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in free agency

No. 1 replacement for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram: Dalton Schultz

Both Evan Engram and the Jaguars have expressed mutual interest in getting a deal done and there’s still plenty of time to find common ground. But if contract talks fall apart and he ends up leaving in free agency, the Jaguars should pursue Dalton Schultz, the top tight end in Pro Football Focus’ top 100 list of players slated to hit the open market.

In his first season with the Jags, Engram set team records for the most yards in a game by a tight end,  the most catches in a season by a tight end, and the most receiving yards in a season by a tight end. Looking at how productive he was, general manager Trent Baalke will do everything within his power to bring him back but Schultz would be an adequate replacement. In fact, he could even be an upgrade.

Although Schultz was the third or four option in the Dallas Cowboys’ passing game in 2022, he was still able to catch 57 passes for 577 yards with five touchdowns. The prior season, he hauled in 78 receptions for 808 yards with eight touchdowns. Had Big D not used the franchise tag on him last offseason, he might have been in high demand in free agency.

If Schultz becomes a free agent, he won’t have a shortage of suitors. The downside of signing him is that it won’t be cheap. Pro Football Focus expects him to sign a contract that pays him $58 million over four years — an annual average of $14.5 million — with $36 million guaranteed. There’s no doubt he could give the Jaguars’ offense a boost but that price tag seems excessive, especially when you take into account that they won’t have much cap space this season.

Is Schultz worth a premium contract? Most definitely. Would he look great in Jaguars uniform? You bet, but tight end won’t be the only need Jacksonville will have to address if Engram leaves this offseason, so they might be better off passing on Schultz and investing their money in other position groups.