Yesterday, we did our site-wide fantasy draft. That video will be released within a day or two. This isn’t much of a spoiler but once again I found a way to acquire Evan Engram. For whatever reason, I guess I’m addicted to drafting Engram in fantasy. The Giants’ tight end has been in the league 4 years and I’ve had him in fantasy every year. I don’t know how I got myself into this pickle but here we are.
Evan Engram has become the Will Fuller of tight ends. Very fast and extremely talented. Just NEVER healthy. I’m writing this letter to you, Engram. You’re due. Go ball out in a full 16 game season.
The former first-round pick from Ole Miss has never played in a full 16 game season. Over the last two years, Engram has missed 15 total games. That doesn’t tell the whole story, though. It feels like even when Engram is healthy, and on the field, he’s hurt dealing with some nagging injury.
Every fantasy owner takes risks differently. Unless your name is Jordan Reed, I’ll always take the shot on talented players who come with injury risk. The raw ability is there with Engram. We’re talking about a player who came in as a rookie and posted 64 receptions for 722 yards and six touchdowns.
NOBODY does that as a rookie at the tight end position. I want to use some examples of tight ends to show how they don’t produce like that as rookies.
Travis Kelce: Zero receptions and zero yards
George Kittle: 43 receptions, 515 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Mark Andrews: 34 receptions, 552 yards, 3 touchdowns.
Zach Ertz: 36 receptions, 469 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Engram produced significantly better than the best tight ends in the league when comparing rookie seasons. Injuries have hindered a breakout season, but that doesn’t mean one isn’t on the way. If Engram is healthy, imagine what he could accomplish?
We’re still talking about a guy that was a first-round pick with 4.42 speed at the tight end position. Engram has exorbitant potential and has shown way more flashes than someone like OJ Howard, who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted ahead of him. Please don’t turn into Jordan Reed. It’s time for Engram to stay healthy and produce as he should.
