Evan Engram stands to gain as Mike Gesicki, Dalton Schulz, David Njoku tagged

After three star tight ends were franchise tagged by their teams, Evan Engram emerges near the top of the free agent market. 

Tuesday is a good day to be Evan Engram.

The New York Giants’ tight end and soon to be free agent emerges as one of the premier tight ends available when the market opens next Wednesday, after the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns used the franchise tag on Dalton Schultz, Mike Gesicki, and David Njoku, respectively.

Schultz, Gesicki, and Njoku stand to make $10.93 million if they play under the franchise tag this season, rather than agreeing to terms on long-term extensions. For a player of Engram, or veterans like Zach Ertz, O.J. Howard, and Rob Gronkowski, that may be considered a bargain for teams.

“Evan has the chance to be a top tight end but he has to focus on some key fundamentals,” an NFC offensive coach tells FanSided. “He needs to refine details like catch fundamentals, battling for contested catches, and Yards after The Catch. He can do all of those things, but that’s what made him special early in his career.”

Last season, Engram caught 46 passes for 408 yards, but only three touchdowns in a Giants offense that struggled mightily to find any sort of consistency.

Engram’s durability and inconsistency is a concern for some inside the league, but several executives have told FanSided that decision-makers around the NFL believe he has far more upside than many fans and those in the media.

Teams that use multiple tight ends in their offense, and thus won’t be relying on Engram to carry the passing game, might wind up being ideal fits.

In his career, Engram has caught 262 passes for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns. He will likely catch the next one elsewhere.