The former Ole Miss Rebel Evan Engram is coming off his best season yet with the Jacksonville Jaguars, even when you include his fumbles and lower yards per reception. He is entering his third year with the Jags after spending his first five with the New York Giants. Engram was drafted 23rd overall in the 2017 NFL draft and is entering his second year of a three-year, $41.25M contract set to expire in 2025.
Engram played all 17 games last year and hasn’t seen a significant injury since August 2021. Completing only with wide receivers and running backs for targets, he is set to have another high-production year. Even with the Jaguars bringing in players such as Devin Duvernay and Gabe Davis to replace Calvin Ridley, Engram’s biggest competition for targets is Christian Kirk.
Engram’s 2023 Stats And Fantasy Production
Evan Engram finished his 2023 campaign with 114 catches for 963 receiving yards on 143 targets, playing all 17 games. He could only bring in four touchdowns and had a career-low yards per reception at 8.4, but Trevor Lawrence was also targeting him significantly more than in previous years. Unless Engram sustains an injury, his only threat at tight end last year for targets was Luke Farrell, with only 15.
Although Engram only had four touchdowns, he still finished second in fantasy points in PPR leagues due to his impressive number of receptions. He brought in an average of 14.1 points per week for his fantasy teams, with a total of 230.3 for the year. His non-PPR performance wasn’t bad at all, but he did take a drop, falling to 6th for a total of 116.3 points for the year and an average of 6.8 weekly.
Engram 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Evan Engram will be 30 before the season is over, but he is looking better and better with age. Each year, he puts up more yards and is targeted more, and now, with Ridley gone, you can expect the targets to continue. Don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon. The past years have shown us that tight ends can still dominate as they reach their mid-thirties.
The Jaguars are in a tough young division, with Trevor Lawrence and Will Levis being the oldest starting QBs at only 24. The big difference is that Lawrence already has three years of experience. Engram needs to see more improvement from Lawrence in the passing game if they plan to steal the division. Lawrence will face tough defensive lines in this division, making Engram’s presence much more needed.
According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, Engram is projected to finish as the 4th-best running back in full PPR leagues and 8th in non-PPR, dropping him two spots in both. I have high hopes for him. He finished with a 79% completion target-to-reception ratio, which ended up being first in players with 100 receptions or more last year. If Lawrence and Engram keep that up, they are in an excellent place for success.
With a healthy season, Engram will have another great year. As long as Lawrence has time to throw and push the ball downfield, I project Engram to have over 1100+ receiving yards, 110+ receptions, and nine touchdowns. His floor would be <825 yards, <90 receptions, and <5 touchdowns.
Final Thoughts
In my recent mock draft, I have Jacksonville selecting a defensive tackle. The Jags could quickly go cornerback, wide receiver, or even offensive line with this pick. Still, Jacksonville needs to improve the defensive line pressure to help Travon Walker and Josh Allen retain double-digit sacks. A defensive pick here may not affect Engram, but bolstering Jacksonville’s defensive line means more time for Jacksonville’s offense, leading to more scoring opportunities for Engram.
Even if Jacksonville selects a WR in the first round, Engram’s fantasy value should remain the same. Unless you get an offer, you cannot refuse in dynasty leagues; I suggest holding onto him. 30 is the new 25 for TEs. His injury history shouldn’t warrant a trade or dump. The point is that longevity is real with TEs, even if they sustain injuries—unless you’re Gronk, but that guy played at another level.
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Meet Bobby! By day, he teaches, sharing his passion for the game with students. Whether in the classroom or cheering on his Chargers, Bobby never misses a chance to talk football.
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