Week 3 at Los Angeles Chargers
Evan Engram caught seven of his eight targets against the Colts in Week 2, giving him 11 grabs on 12 targets through two games. He only has 74 yards combined, with 46 coming against the Colts, but these catches and yards were good enough for 8.1 Half PPR points, making him the TE13 for the week.
The Chargers have allowed the sixth-most receptions to tight ends after two weeks in which they faced Darren Waller and Travis Kelce. Given the elite nature of these players, it's hard to say that the Chargers have an issue against tight ends. But still, Engram is commanding an 18.8% target share and should be a safe option for Trevor Lawrence when combatting the Chargers' pass rush. He can be trusted as a high-end TE2 in Week 3.
Week 2 vs. Indianapolis Colts
It was the sort of performance we have come to expect from Evan Engram in Week 1 of the 2021 season. His Jaguars debut saw him reel in all four of his targets, although he managed a meager 28 yards and 4.8 fantasy points in Half PPR formats. He finished as the TE25 in Week 1.
On paper, Engram should be in for a better time of it in Week 2 against the Colts. Texans tight ends combined for just four grabs against them last week, but these went for 62 yards and two touchdowns for O.J. Howard. Still, Engram will have to hope some more of Trevor Lawrence's targets come his way for him to make any real fantasy impact in Week 2, in which we project Engram to be a mid-tier TE2 option.
Week 1 at Washington Commanders
Evan Engram's final year with the Giants was not exactly one that is likely to see him elevated to the Big Blue Ring of Honor anytime soon. He caught 46 passes for a career-low 408 yards at a woeful 5.5 yards per target rate, scoring three touchdowns along the way. He finished as the TE23 in Half PPR formats, thanks mainly to the toxic nature of the position and his five TE1 weekly finishes.
Engram found his way to Jacksonville in the offseason, and under a coach in Doug Pederson with a history of featuring the tight end in his offense. But Engram has a long way to go before fantasy managers should get too excited about him, even going up against a middling Commanders defense. The Football Team was 14th in aFPA to tight ends last season. Engram should be viewed as a TE2 this week, and probably most weeks moving forward.
2022 Fantasy Upside
The Jaguars were busy early in free agency and one of the first players they went after was Evan Engram. A 2017 first-round pick by the Giants, Engram signed a one-year, $9 million deal to join wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones as new additions to the passing game in Jacksonville. Speaking in April, incoming offensive coordinator Press Taylor shared how he envisions using Engram and the focus was on the "ability to create matchups" that stress opposing defenses. "When we put Engram on the field, who's going to cover him?" Taylor said. "Do you need to bring in a lighter body? Do you put a nickel on him? Do you put a safety on him? Do you put a linebacker on him, which we would ask for if you had to pick? Evan kinda brings that with his speed overall." Engram has been a matchup nightmare in theory throughout his NFL career, but his five years with the Giants never quite saw him take advantage of that on the field. If he can put it all together with the Jags, he'll likely score more than a one-year deal next offseason.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Health has been an issue at times. He has missed 15 games in the last four seasons, but has played 15-plus games in three of five seasons. Beyond that, he has struggled with drops and lapses in concentration over time. He dropped 11 passes in 2020 and six in 2021. Additionally, Engram dropped six balls combined in 2017 and 2018.
2022 Bottom Line Engram joins the ranks of viable TE2s and streaming options at the position. Fantasy managers looking to invest shouldn't go overboard.
Week 17 at Chicago Bears
Evan Engram caught a touchdown last week and caught four of five targets, but he was still limited to just 17 yards on the day. Despite the recent score, Engram’s three total touchdowns and mere 392 yards on the season make it hard to trust him going forward. The Giants offense is a mess and Engram is too risky to bank on in any fantasy league. Leave him on waivers.
Week 16 at Philadelphia Eagles
Evan Engram has a great matchup against an Eagles defense that ranks 32nd in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He has a great opportunity… oh, wait. We said this four weeks ago against the Eagles, and Engram had three catches for 37 yards. Sit him. Drop him. Boo.
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram had one catch for eight yards last week against the Chargers. Booooo! He was targeted four times, but he hasn’t been successfully making use of his targets all year. There’s no reason to assume that changes this week against the Cowboys and fantasy managers should have better options available. Leave Engram on waivers.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Evan Engram caught four of his five targets for 61 yards last week against the Dolphins. Engram hasn’t scored a touchdown in the last three games, but he’s getting at least five targets per game in that span, providing a glimmer of hope.
This week, Engram faces a Chargers defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He also benefits from all the injuries to the receivers in New York, though who knows what we’ll see at the quarterback position. He’s too risky to trust in most leagues, even if he does have some volume upside. Consider him a desperation option given the matchup, but he should probably remain on waivers in most formats.
Week 13 at Miami Dolphins
Evan Engram produced only 37 yards on three receptions against the Eagles last week. He’s struggled to be fantasy relevant, and there’s no reason to expect that to change this week, even against a Dolphins defense that ranks 19th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He’s droppable in all formats.
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Evan Engram had a decent matchup last week and caught just two balls for 12 yards. He could be good, but he usually isn’t, so it’s too risky to trust him in lineups. Sit him or drop him, even though the Eagles rank dead last in aFPA to opposing tight ends.
