New York Giants tight end Evan Engram is set to become an NFL free agent for the first time, but could see a limited market this offseason
There’s a legitimate chance that Evan Engram has played his final game in a New York Giants uniform, as free agency looms and a new regime sets out to clear up cap space both this year and in coming years as part of an overdue rebuild.
However, the perception of Engram is varied inside the NFL.
There are some executives that believe their coaching staff and scheme can bring out the best in Engram, but some coaches disagree.
“He’s just not a special player right now,” an NFC offensive coach tells FanSided, on the condition of anonymity because he isn’t authorized to speak about players on other teams.
Engram is coming off a season in which he caught just 46 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns, in a Giants‘ offense that spent the season largely stuck in the mud.
“He needs to get back on track and focus on the details of his skill-set that made him such a great prospect in the first place,” the coach says. “Details like catch fundamentals, attention to detail in route-running, remembering how to be a force making contested catches and turning upfield for Yards after The Catch. Those are things that can make him special.”
Engram is one year removed from the lone Pro Bowl appearance of his career but has yet to live up to his billing as a former first-round pick.
There might not be a player on the New York Giants’ roster more in need of a change of scenery, than Engram.
Some league sources believe that Engram’s market will be limited because big names — and productive players — such as Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki, David Njoku, and veterans like Zach Ertz are going to set the top of the market.
“General managers look at Evan Engram and they don’t see a complete player, they see an injury prone player,” one agent tells FanSided. “He’s not a great blocker. At all. He’s hurt all the time. He’s not that young, at 27, and he’s more of a wide receiver but has a case of the drops.
“If he goes out thinking he’s going to get George Kittle money, or if he’s going to set the tight end market, that money’s just not there for Evan Engram. Not just because of the other free agents available, but it’s a pretty deep tight end draft class once you get out of Round 1 or 2.”
So, which teams will likely be in the market for Evan Engram?
Might a return to the New York Giants be best for all involved?
FanSided spoke to coaches and executives around the NFL to find out the best fits for Engram, as free agency approaches.
Here’s a look at five potential best fits for New York Giants free-agent tight end Evan Engram
Miami Dolphins
The feeling inside the league is that Mike Gesicki is going to go shopping for a mega-deal, after catching a career-high 73 passes for 780 yards and two touchdowns in his fourth NFL season, and that the Miami Dolphins might not be willing to overpay to bring him back.
According to league conversations, the Dolphins believe Durham Smythe, who finished the season with a 65 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, with more of a traditional pass-catching tight end next season.
This is where Engram comes into play.
Especially if new head coach Mike McDaniel views Engram as someone capable of a similar role in the passing game that George Kittle excelled at for the San Francisco 49ers, the Dolphins could prioritize Engram among this year’s free agents at the position.
Presuming that Engram is the No. 4 or No. 5 tight end on the market, if the Dolphins are looking for a relatively cheaper option, Engram might be an ideal fit. Especially after New York Giants quarterbacks produced an 87.2 passer rating when targeting him, which could prove beneficial to the Dolphins if Miami sticks with Tua Tagovailoa or moves on to another young quarterback.