Week 11 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evan Engram has quietly scored a touchdown in each of his past two games, and zzzzzzz….
Sorry, I fell asleep talking about Evan Engram. He’s also had at least four targets in all but one game this zzzzzzz….
Okay, I’ll try to stay awake through this. Engram is a boring fantasy option. He usually doesn’t produce. Every once in a while he lulls you into a false sense of security and then burns you with a bad game. Sit him. Trade him to someone else. Let him be someone else’s problem.
Week 9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Evan Engram scored his first touchdown of the season last week, but he finished with just 15 yards on three receptions. He somehow managed to find the end zone and still score single-digits in half-PPR formats. This week, Engram faces a Raiders defense that ranks 25th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, so there’s matchup upside. However, he’s been so unproductive, it’s hard to trust him. Leave him on waivers.
Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs
Evan Engram caught six balls last week and was second on the team with eight targets, but he still ended up with just 44 yards. Sadly, that was his second-highest fantasy game this season. The Giants' offense continues to struggle, and while there is potential for Engram with nearly all of the Giants’ receivers either hurt or coming off injury, it’s too risky to gamble on him in most leagues. There’s upside for him against a Chiefs defense that ranks 27th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, but we have him ranked just outside starting territory and it’s hard to recommend using him until he starts producing. Sit him.
Week 7 vs. Carolina Panthers
Evan Engram had another disappointing day, despite the Giants being down three receivers after rookie Kadarius Toney left with an injury, finishing with just three catches and 24 yards on five targets. Engram hasn’t been consistently productive in a very long time, and I don’t like recommending starting him any more than I like putting him in a lineup. However, with so many teams on bye this week and Engram facing a Panthers defense that ranks 20th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, we have him ranked as a fringe starting option with upside. Start him if you must, and cross all your fingers and toes that he can produce.
Week 6 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Evan Engram had four catches for 55 yards last week against the Cowboys. He’s struggled to get back to his elite fantasy tight end status for a couple of years now, even though he appears to finally be healthy.
That being said, Engram has some upside against a Rams defense that ranks 28th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. He also should see more targets with the Giants’ top three wide receivers all struggling with injuries. We have him ranked just outside starting material this week, but he’s not a terrible risk-reward option in a nice matchup for desperate fantasy managers.
Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram returned to action last week and caught five of six targets, but he wound up with just 27 yards. Engram hasn’t been a consistent fantasy option since his rookie year, and while he definitely has the potential and athletic ability to produce, it’s too risky to put him in lineups in most leagues. This week, Engram faces a Cowboys defense that ranks 19th in aFPA to opposing tight ends, so once again, on paper, there’s reason to think he’ll be good. Still, there should be more consistent options available and he’s safe to drop.
Week 4 at New Orleans Saints
Evan Engram returned to action last week against the Falcons, but caught just two balls for 21 yards. He was targeted six times though, and he may stand to get more looks moving forward while Sterling Shepard is out with a hamstring injury. Fantasy managers should look to add Engram as a speculative roster addition, even if it’s a little unnerving to risk starting him. The Saints rank 10th in aFPA to opposing tight ends and held Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to just 40 yards last week. We have him ranked outside starting territory this week and it would be risky to bank on him. This offense is just difficult to trust.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Evan Engram missed Weeks 1 and 2 and is uncertain for this week against the Falcons. If he’s active, we have him as a fringe option. He has upside in a nice matchup against the Falcons, who just gave up big numbers to Rob Gronkowski, but the health situation makes it hard to trust him if you have a more consistent option available to you. Engram is a risky boom or bust option this week but watch that injury report very carefully.
Fantasy Upside
Evan Engram has slipped a bit since his excellent rookie year when he caught 64 balls for 722 yards and six touchdowns, but the talent is still there. He lines up in multiple areas of the field and is primarily a receiving option. He took 45.7% of his offensive snaps last season in either the slot or out wide. The Giants might have an improved offense with better health and additions to the passing game, which may extend drives and help Engram get more work in the red zone. Engram may also be extra motivated entering his fifth season, as he’s set to hit free agency after this year.
Fantasy Downside
There are a lot of reasons to be concerned about Engram. While he was mostly healthy last year, he tends to get nicked up. He missed eight games in 2019 and five the year before. Most concerning is the addition of talent around him. That could create more opportunities for him, but the additions of three pass-catchers – including veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph – along with the return of pass-catching stud Saquon Barkley, might mean there are slim picking available for Engram. Throw in Daniel Jones’ make-or-break status heading into his third year, and we have a lot of risk to sift through.
2021 Bottom Line
The talent is there with Engram, and if you can get him as a TE2 with upside at his 11th-round ADP, he’s not a bad option. He’s being drafted as the TE17 right now, which is a few slots below where we have him ranked. If he starts to get buzz and move up draft boards at all, he’ll be too risky to warrant drafting, but with this price tag, he’s worth a swing as long as you pair him with a safer option or be ready to take multiple late-round swings.
Week 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram had a modest 65 yards on seven receptions against the Ravens last week, and he was targeted 10 times. Engram leads the team with 105 targets. He’s only caught one touchdown pass this season, but his other numbers – 61 receptions, 637 yards – really aren’t bad in a league with a dearth of fantasy options at the position.
This week, Engram faces a Cowboys defense that ranks fourth in aFPA to opposing tight ends. While not a great matchup, the Cowboys have been playing better lately and it might mean the Giants spend the day throwing the ball. With his targets, he has as much upside as any of the mid-tier tight ends, so we have him ranked as a borderline starter this week with some upside.
