Why versatility is the name of the game for the 2020 NY Giants

NY Giants Tight Ends

Most people are aware by now the freakish athletic ability that NY Giants tight end Evan Engram possesses. Engram benefits from having the athletic ability of an elite wide receiver in the body of a tight end. With 4.48-second 40-yard dash speed and a 6’4″ and 245-pound frame, there has been clamoring from some experts that Engram should be moved to wide receiver in an attempt to reduce the pounding on his oft-injured body.

While it is highly unlikely that the NY Giants cave to these cries and move Engram to the wideout position permanently, there is a chance that new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett uses his freakishly talented tight end in more of a hybrid role to exploit mismatches from opposing defenses.

This is especially true if Kaden Smith continues to show flashes of brilliance stemming from his rookie season where he 31 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns in six games started for Big Blue. The fact that Smith profiles more as the prototypical tight end could allow Garrett to use Engram in creative ways in two-tight end sets.

Evan Engram isn’t the only versatile tight end in the NY Giants tight end room though. Levine Tiololo, who was brought in as a free agent acquisition this offseason after spending last season with the San Francisco 49ers, offers the NY Giants a different type of versatility than Engram.

Tiololo, who is 6’8″ and 270-pounds, give

s the Giants a massive tight end who can basically serve as an additional offensive lineman. In his seven-year career, the giant Tiololo hasn’t been a prolific pass catcher, accumulating just 97 receptions for 996 yards and eight touchdowns but has shown to be an excellent blocking tight end.

Last year with Tiololo being a big part of the blocking scheme at the tight end position, the 49ers ranked second in the league in rushing, first in rushing touchdowns, fourth in total points scored and tenth overall in passing touchdowns.

He should help open lanes in the running game while lending valuable support in pass protection for the young tackles along the offensive line. Tiololo also represents a significant improvement in blocking skills over Engram who struggled mightily at times in pass protection against stronger pass rushers.

There is no doubt that a healthy and explosive Evan Engram and improved blocking from Levine Tiololo will go a long way to bettering the offensive results of the NY Giants. It should result in a significant improvement from last season when Engram was hurt, Smith was a rookie just cutting his teeth, and veteran Rhett Ellison dealt with injuries that would ultimately result in his retirement.