Evan Engram reminds us how Big Blue fans should feel about the tight end position.
First-round selection Engram is built for today’s NFL and should be an immediate contributor. As a New York Giants fan for about a quarter of a century now, I can say with confidence that Engram brings an excitement to the tight end position. As you know, excitement has been lacking since the team drafted Jeremy Shockey in the first round in 2002. Even before his official career starts, Engram seems to possess what Shockey lacked: humility. Engram seems to be a young man with a great head on his shoulders. He carries himself with confidence. His professionalism appears similar to how Sterling Shepard handled himself in his rookie campaign.
On the field, Engram joins an already stacked group of offensive weapons for Eli Manning. He adds a new element, one that has been sorely missing for Eli. Engram made a figurative living out of torching teams down the seam during his college career at Ole Miss. According to FanRag, this is a guy who ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine; weighing in at 234 lbs. Only three wide receivers ran a better time than that in Indianapolis.
Engram is ready to compete
As I mentioned earlier, Engram is ready to contribute right now. His size and speed combination paired with the role that will be expected of him, sets him up for success in his rookie year. The opposing secondaries will have to worry about a plethora of speed and talent coming their way, surely Engram will be making plays come early September.
"“I know I’m ready to come in and make an immediate impact. I know for a fact. I’ve been watching the Giants, they’re on TV all the time. I sit down and watch them, especially this past year. I’ve been really analyzing teams and certain offenses. The Giants have been missing a piece like me,” Engram said according to GiantsWire on Apr. 28, 2017."
It’s a tight end’s world and we’re just living in it
This current landscape of the NFL is built around speed and match ups. The most common player comparison we have heard surrounding Engram is that of Washington Redskins stud tight end, Jordan Reed. Reed has been making the Giants secondary and linebacking corps look at a complete mismatch against him since he entered the league in 2013. Engram is built slightly taller and leaner than Reed, but with the perfect frame to add some weight on throughout his career.
New York Giants
Moreover, the tight end position has always been known as that safety blanket for a quarterback. Eli has spent his career elevating the play of mostly journeyman tight ends. He now gets a player who can be his third down and red zone target, as well as a weapon to split the defense. Engram’s speed through the seam will open the door for Sterling Shepard to potentially have a big sophomore season.
Speed kills
Evan Engram will be amongst the fastest players at his position in the league, if not the fastest. He will line up surrounded by speed in every direction making things that much harder for teams to match-up with the Giants offense. I am very excited to see the Giants line up 4-wide package with Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall on the outside, with Shepard and Engram planted in the slot on the inside. They won’t need to be subtle in showing what they want to do, as the defense physically cannot match up with the speed and size trotted out for the Giants.
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Playing tight end for Big Blue is as cool as it gets. I must say that I am a little biased when it comes to the position as this is where I made my figurative living in high school. You get to hit people and catch footballs, what could be better?
New chapter for New York Giants
In 2017, the New York Giants finally have a playmaker at the tight end position. Engram will relish in the role as third or fourth fiddle. He will undoubtedly make a name for himself in this league sooner rather than later, as the Giants open the season playing in prime time two weeks in a row.
As Terrell Owens once said, “Get your popcorn ready, it’s gonna be a show.”