With just a few more weeks before the start of the regular season, the New York Giants accompany the rest of the NFL in preparing the final rendition of their 53-man roster. The preseason, though seemingly pointless to many, continues to show as an effective way to narrow down key position lapses, as well as strengths and weaknesses.
Looking back on the offseason, there were a number of players who moved around in free agency. And one of them was a former New York Giants tight end, who seemingly got better once he moved away from Big Blue.
According to Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, one tight end is considered to be a complete steal for his current NFL team. That tight end is none other than former first-round pick Evan Engram.
Former Giants TE Evan Engram listed as free 2025 free agency steal
Engram's tenure with the G-Men was rather uneventful. After being selected 23rd overall in 2017, he started strong, but then fizzled out without any hesitation. His rookie season was his best during his five seasons in East Rutherford, and it was not exactly eye-opening compared to the hype.
Over five seasons, the tight end had 262 catches for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns. On an offense that featured Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, and Engram, the potential was there for it to be one of the all-time great formations. It just never came to fruition.
It was when he arrived in Jacksonville that his career started to change. Earning his second Pro Bowl nomination in 2023, he eclipsed the 100+ reception mark for the first time in his career, finishing the season with 114 catches for 963 yards.
But last season was plagued with injuries, causing Engram to miss eight games with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Now, he is a part of the Denver Broncos on a steal (as Gagnon put it) of a two-year deal, worth $23 million.
He's got a great shot at finally shedding his haunted past. With second-year quarterback Bo Nix looking like a breakout candidate, Engram might just have his best season yet. Still, it's interesting $11.5 million annually for a good, not great, tight end is viewed as a steal. Opinions.
The Giants currently have a 1-2 punch at tight end, featuring Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger. Both will see a considerable amount of playtime this season, and they could have multiple quarterbacks throwing to them.
Johnson, the fourth-round selection last season, had a respectable rookie season. With 29 catches for 331 yards and a touchdown, he earned his spot to be the first-string tight end in 2025. Bellinger, who's heading into Year 4, also had a respectable 2024, hauling in 14 catches for 125 yards.
Obviously, Engram is a very good tight end who just did not work within the Giants' system at that time. It was during some of the worst seasons in franchise history, led by lackluster coaching and a fractured identity. The blame is not all on the tight end for his disappointing performances, as it was an all-around debacle.
New York is a team on the rise, but Engram has now entered his 30s. A two-year deal like the one he landed in Denver might have been worth the gamble to redeem himself, yet the next couple of seasons for this franchise remain uncertain. Whether they’ll be contending for a postseason spot or drafting near the top is anyone’s guess, but the arrow is pointing in the right direction.
That does not sound too appetizing to a potential player.