Week 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evan Engram has struggled with injuries and an inconsistent offense this season, but over the last two weeks, he’s been targeted 14 times and caught nine passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. Those aren’t huge numbers by any means, but that kind of workload two games in a row is a good sign for Engram moving forward.
This week, Engram faces a Buccaneers defense that has been terrible this season. Only the Panthers have given up more fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and Engram has the kind of talent to expose the already struggling Tampa Bay defenders. Engram should be active in all leagues, especially with six teams on bye this week.
Week 10 at San Francisco 49ers
Evan Engram only gained 25 yards against Washington in Week 8 before the bye, but he caught five passes and scored a touchdown. Engram was targeted a season-high nine times and it was good to see quarterback Eli Manning looking to him often. Engram is a dynamic receiving option and has the potential to create mismatches in any given matchup.
This week, Engram will face a 49ers defense that has actually been above average against the tight end position, although they haven’t faced very many good ones outside of Travis Kelce, who torched them for 114 yards on eight receptions. Engram is easily more talented than the bulk of tight ends they’ve faced, but in an inconsistent offense during a year where he’s been hobbled by injury, he’s a risky option. Engram should be streamed in larger leagues or held for future use.
Week 8 vs. Washington Redskins
Evan Engram returned to action last week against the Falcons and caught two of the four balls thrown his way for 16 yards. It was a disappointing day for the second-year tight end, but it was good to see him healthy.
This week, Engram faces a Washington defense that has allowed 29 receptions but only two touchdowns to the tight end position this season. He’s not a bad bye week option if you need him, but if you can take a wait-and-see approach with him in a rough matchup, that might be best. He still has excellent long-term value, but it would be better to see him fully recovered and productive before trusting him.
Week 7 at Atlanta Falcons
Evan Engram has missed the past few weeks with an injury but may be ready to play this week against the Falcons. If he starts, he should be considered a high risk/reward option in all league formats. The Falcons have been a sieve on defense this year, but they’ve been very average against tight ends specifically, allowing a modest 29 receptions and three touchdowns to the position. Engram is very talented, however, and soaks up targets. He’s risky coming off an injury, and fantasy owners should be sure to have a backup plan in place, but he has some upside if he ends up playing.
Week 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Evan Engram has been injured the last two weeks but he may play Thursday night against the Eagles. While that’s great news for Engram owners, it may be best to take a wait-and-see approach to starting him this week. The Eagles allow the fifth-least fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and Engram may not be 100 percent.
Week 3 at Houston Texans
Evan Engram got a little banged up against the Cowboys Monday night, but he came back into the game and caught a late touchdown. He finished with seven catches and 67 yards, reminiscent of his success as a rookie last year.
Monitor Engram’s health heading into the weekend, but he should be ready, and if he is, he’s a borderline starter in leagues that separate the tight end position. While the Texans held the Titans’ backup tight end to only two catches last week, they were torched by Rob Gronkowski in Week 1 for 123 yards and a touchdown.
Week 2 at Dallas Cowboys
Evan Engram struggled last week against an elite Jaguars defense, catching only two passes for 18 yards. Last year’s breakout rookie at the position should improve in better matchups, however, and fantasy owners shouldn’t panic just yet. He continues to exhibit big-play ability from the position, with the talent to stretch the seam and create mismatches.
This week, Engram faces a Dallas defense that held the Panthers in check for much of last week’s contest, but he is still more vulnerable than the tough Jacksonville front-seven. Expect more targets and production from Engram this week, as we have him ranked as a top-10 prospect at the position.
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Watch the injury report this week, as Evan Engram was dealing with a concussion, but the Giants will hope he’s ready to go to start the season. Engram was one of the few highlights for New York last season, leading the team with 64 receptions and finishing with 722 yards and 6 touchdowns. Engram’s production may drop off with Odell Beckham Jr. back in the lineup, but he should still be an excellent fantasy tight end.
This week, he faces a tough Jaguars defense that allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to the tight end position last season. He should still be worth starting, but we have him ranked just outside the top 10 at his position due to the tough matchup. If you happened to have grabbed a pair of top tight ends, this might be one of the few weeks to look elsewhere.
Fantasy Upside
Evan Engram had a great rookie season, as the Giants lost the majority of their receiving corps to injuries and leaned on him all season. He finished fifth among tight ends in the league in receiving yards with 722 and sixth in receptions (64). Engram added six touchdowns and only Travis Kelce finished with more targets. Engram should build on a productive rookie season with more organizational stability after the hiring of Pat Shurmur as the Giants' new head coach.
Fantasy Downside
Engram may lose some targets with Odell Beckham Jr. back in the lineup, and rookie Saquon Barkley looks to be active in the passing game as well. However, there is limited downside with an ascending player like Engram. His health and the rate of decline in quarterback Eli Manning—now 37 years old—will be the primary factors that could hurt his status as a top fantasy option.
2018 Bottom Line
It’s risky to bank on a guy with only one year of productivity, but Engram should be set up for a great sophomore year. He may see fewer targets with more mouths to feed this year, but the quality of his looks should improve. If he’s available beyond the sixth round, he’s a valuable every-week starter at the position.
Week 17 vs. Washington
Evan Engram suffered a rib injury last week against the Cardinals, and was limited to only 1 catch and 12 yards on the day. The ribs are reportedly only bruised, however, and Engram stated that he wants to play this week. Engram has been one of the few rookie tight ends to provide consistent fantasy production this year, and the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Giants.
Assuming Engram is active, he has some upside against a Washington defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this year. With limited options in the passing game, quarterback Eli Manning will likely continue to rely on his tight end, and Engram should be a fringe fantasy starter as a result. He’d be ranked higher if his ribs weren’t in play.
