Will The Jaguars Extend Evan Engram? Fantasy Football Outlook

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram was a first-round pick by the New York Giants in the 2017 NFL Draft. Engram spent the first five years of his career in New York before signing with Jacksonville last offseason.

The veteran tight end had an outstanding rookie season, totaling 64 receptions on 115 targets for 722 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Many fantasy players were excited about the tight end’s future. Unfortunately, Engram struggled over the following four years in New York.

Engram had 198 receptions on 314 targets for 2,106 receiving yards and 10 in 50 games over his final four years with the Giants. After he struggled with injuries and drops in New York, the veteran tight end signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars last offseason worth $9 million.

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What Did Evan Engram Accomplish In 2022?

The former first-round pick had a career year in 2022, totaling 73 receptions on 98 targets for 766 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The 766 receiving yards were a career-high. Furthermore, Engram ended the year as the TE6, averaging 8.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

Following the career year in 2022, the Jaguars and Engram publicly stated they wanted to keep their relationship going long-term. However, the two sides couldn’t agree to a long-term contract. Therefore, Jacksonville placed the franchise tag on the veteran tight end. He will earn $11.4 million next year on the franchise tag.

Will The Jaguars Extend Evan Engram?

While the team placed the franchise tag on the veteran tight end, the two sides have until the July 17 deadline to work out a long-term deal. However, the talks haven’t gotten very far at this point. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Engram won’t be at offseason programming.

We still have nearly three months until the deadline, so fans shouldn’t worry that a long-term deal hasn’t gotten done yet. However, should they lock up Engram to an extension?

Jacksonville has to wonder if last year’s success was a sign of things to come or a fluke year. Engram had a hot three-week stretch late last season. From Week 13 through Week 15, the veteran tight end had 26 receptions for 337 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Engram had 36% of his receptions, 44% of his receiving yards, and half of his touchdowns during that three-week window. If I were the Jaguars, I would let the veteran tight end play on the franchise tag next year and readdress the situation in the offseason.

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