Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram only had 35 yards last week, but he caught six balls and was targeted a season-high 10 times. Despite just 131 yards on the season, Engram is actually averaging 7.5 targets per game, which should eventually translate into some kind of production. The Giants’ offense almost has to get better, given how dismal they’ve been. Engram remains a talented mismatch at the position and this might be a good time to buy low on him.
The Cowboys have really struggled defensively this season, and they rank 26th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. This is the best-case scenario for Engram to finally deliver a quality fantasy outing, and we have him ranked as a fringe-starter this week, just outside our top-10. His upside makes him worth the gamble in a good matchup.
Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams
Evan Engram, along with the rest of the Giants’ offense, has had a slow start to the year, and had just 22 yards on three receptions against the 49ers last week. Engram is a great target in the passing game and has elite fantasy tight end upside, but the whole team around him has stumbled to a 0-3 start.
This week, Engram has a decent chance to rebound. The Rams gave up three touchdowns to the tight end position last week against the Bills, and none of the tight ends in Buffalo are on Engram’s talent level. He’s still risky because the Giants are so terrible, but we have him as a fringe starter in what should be a reasonably good matchup.
Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Evan Engram bounced back from a dismal Week 1 performance to catch six of eight targets against the Bears last week for 65 yards. With Saquon Barkley out for the season and Sterling Shepard looking to miss some time with a turf toe injury, the Giants will need their remaining pass catchers to produce, so eight-plus targets per game moving forward seems possible for the talented and versatile tight end.
Engram faces the 49ers this week, who held Chris Herndon to just one catch for five yards last week, but are missing key pieces on the defensive line and in the secondary. Engram’s likely target share makes him a solid starting option whenever healthy, and we have him as a fringe TE1 this week. Start him.
Week 2 at Chicago Bears
Evan Engram had a very frustrating Week 1 performance against the Steelers, catching just two of the seven balls thrown his way, for only nine yards. He also had a bad drop early on that could’ve helped the team get some early momentum. Engram should rebound as the talented pass-catcher he is, and Pittsburgh might just be a great defense – they were excellent last year after all – but it’s certainly not the start fantasy owners were hoping for.
The Bears allowed five catches, 56 yards and a touchdown to T.J. Hockenson last week, so there’s upside for Engram to bounce back in a better matchup. While it’s tempting to use recency bias to cut bait and go with another option this week, Engram’s seven targets last week should be re-assuring, making him a solid starter in most leagues against the Bears.
Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
When healthy, Evan Engram is a very good fantasy tight end who stretches the seam and is a matchup nightmare for most linebackers, and even safeties. Engram has missed 13 games over the past two seasons however, making it hard to trust him over the course of a season. That being said, he seems healthy right now and is coming off 44 catches and 467 yards in eight games a year ago.
The Steelers were so good on defense across the board last year, but if anyone hurt them, it was the tight end position. They ranked top-10 against the other positions, but ranked 14th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Not exactly a wide open window, but at least at least a crack for Engram to make his way through. He’s likely worth starting regardless of matchup as long as he’s healthy, and we have him ranked inside our top-10 this week.
Fantasy Upside
There’s a lot to like about Evan Engram. He’s a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s been productive when healthy, averaging 4.9 catches, 51.9 yards and 0.33 touchdowns in the nine games he was active last season. He led the team in targets through the first nine weeks of the season, as well is in target share. Engram at times has looked dominant and like an elite player at his position. He had 115 targets his rookie year and was on pace for 136 last season before missing the final seven games with a foot injury. If he stays on the field, he should be in line for continued production on a team that will likely be throwing the ball a lot.
Fantasy Downside
Health and a lack of end zone production are the biggest issues with Engram. He missed eight games last year and played just 11 the previous season due to several injuries, including a sprained MCL. Also, after six touchdowns as a rookie in 2017, he’s hit pay dirt just six times since. To get into true elite tight end status, he needs to be more of a threat in the red zone. He had the same amount of red-zone targets (11) last year as C.J. Uzomah and Dallas Goedert. Jacob Hollister had 12.
2020 Bottom Line
I’d love to have Engram on my roster, but his price tag is too steep considering the amount of time he’s missed the past two seasons. He’s currently going in the sixth round of 12-team leagues. While he has a ton of potential when he’s on the field, that kind of price tag is too steep when there are value options available even six rounds later (here’s looking at you Blake Jarwin). If he slides a couple rounds, he’s worth scooping up, but until he shows he can be more durable, he should be avoided at his current cost.
Week 9 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram only had 40 yards last week against the Lions, but he scored a touchdown and caught four of the seven balls thrown his way. Engram has put up double-digit PPR points in five of his seven games this season and he continues to be extra valuable with Sterling Shepard sidelined. Fantasy owners should be happy to have Engram, one of the few players at the position that can be left in lineups week-to-week while healthy.
This week, Engram faces a Cowboys defense that has struggled against the tight end position this year. Only the Seahawks, Raiders, Buccaneers and Cardinals rank lower in aFPA to opposing tight ends and they allowed a touchdown to Dallas Goedert before the bye last week. Engram should be heavily targeted and should thrive in what looks to be a nice matchup. He should be active in all leagues.
Week 8 at Detroit Lions
Evan Engram had a rough day in his return from injury against the Cardinals last week. He caught only one of the five passes thrown his way for six yards and he got poked in the eye. Engram should still be considered an excellent weekly starter, however, as he was averaging 9.6 targets through the five games prior to getting injured.
This week, Engram faces a Lions defense that just gave up a touchdown to Kyle Rudolph last week and a total of 10 catches and 118 yards to the Vikings tight ends. Expect the Giants to feature Engram and to target him often. He should be back to top fantasy numbers in a good matchup and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 7 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Evan Engram was out last week with an injury, but he has been one of the best tight ends in fantasy football when healthy this season. In five games this year, he’s averaged 6.6 receptions, 74.6 yards and 0.4 touchdowns. He’s targeted early and often in the Giants’ offense and his ability to line up in multiple spots on the field as well as assist in blocking in the run game make him an every-down weapon.
This week, Engram is expected to return to action and has a great matchup. The Cardinals have been a complete train wreck against the tight end position this season, ranking dead-last in aFPA to opposing tight ends, and it’s not even close. 4.6 aFPA separates the Cardinals from the Seahawks – ranked 31st. 4.6 aFPA separates Seattle from the Giants at 16th. Start Engram.
Week 5 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Evan Engram had a quiet day by his standards against Washington last week, catching four balls for 54 yards. However, he was targeted seven times and he leads the Giants with 37 targets on the season. Engram is second in the league among tight ends with 331 receiving yards this year, and third with 27 receptions. He’s a consistent fantasy producer at the position and is a must-start.
This week, Engram faces a Vikings defense that is eighth this year in aFPA to the tight end position. However, Engram is a rare talent and should be active in all leagues, regardless of the matchup. The Vikings haven’t faced a tight end of his caliber yet this season, and the best tight end they have faced – Austin Hooper – put up 77 yards on nine catches in Week 1.
