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New York Giants: 5 players who exceeded expectations in 2017

By Henry Buggy

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Running back Orleans Darkwa #26 of the New York Giants breaks out for a long run against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 15: Running back Orleans Darkwa #26 of the New York Giants breaks out for a long run against the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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#5 – TE Evan Engram

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 22: Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants runs 5-yards to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 22: Evan Engram #88 of the New York Giants runs 5-yards to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Devon Kennard or John Jerry could have taken this spot, but Engram’s numbers in his rookie year were likely higher than anyone expected.

The Giants first-round pick out of Ole Miss led Big Blue’s offense with a team-high 64 receptions and six touchdowns and finished second on the team in receiving yards (722). Despite multiple dropped passes, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound tight end was arguably the team’s best offensive weapon after Beckham’s season-ending injury.

Engram set a franchise record for the most touchdown receptions for a tight end in his rookie season. He recorded a team-high 11 receptions of 20-yards or more and was arguably the team’s Rookie of the Year.

Engram exceeded expectations in his first season. He continually stepped up his play after multiple injuries to New York’s receiving corps, but it’s not as though New York’s first-round pick was flying under the radar at the outset of the 2017 season.

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