Evan Engram Fantasy Outlook 2024: Regression Candidate?
The 2024 fantasy football season is nearly here. After years of fantasy players struggling to find a reliable tight end after the first few guys, there are several appealing middle-round options in 2024. Sam LaPorta, Travis Kelce, Trey McBride, Mark Andrews, and Dalton Kincaid are the top tight ends in ADP this season. However, fantasy players don’t have to draft one of them if they want a plug-and-play tight end. Read on to find out the Evan Engram fantasy outlook for 2024.
Evan Engram is a popular mid-round tight-end draft pick this year. Some fantasy experts have the veteran as high as the TE6 in their rankings, ahead of Kyle Pitts and George Kittle. After struggling with injuries and drops during his time with the New York Giants, Engram has become a reliable tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
TE Evan Engram Fantasy Football Outlook
The veteran was the TE2 in 2023, averaging 10.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Engram had 114 receptions on 143 targets for 963 receiving yards and four touchdowns, setting career highs in receptions, targets, and touchdowns while posting the second-best touchdown mark of his career. Furthermore, he came three receptions short of breaking Zach Ertz‘s record for most catches by a tight end in a season (116 in 2018).
Engram was outstanding for fantasy players, especially as a later-round pick in 2023 fantasy drafts. However, his end-of-season finish (TE2) is overblown. The veteran was the TE6 on a points-per-game basis, averaging only 0.2 fantasy points per contest more than David Njoku. Furthermore, he was far more productive when Christian Kirk was on the sidelines.
Evan Engram Fantasy Football Outlook
Last year, Engram was the TE12, averaging 7.5 targets and 7.5 fantasy points per game in the 11 contests with Kirk healthy. By comparison, he was the TE1, averaging 10.2 targets and 15.2 fantasy points per game in the six contests without the veteran wide receiver, scoring 18.7 or more in half the matchups. Furthermore, the Jaguars added two explosive wide receivers this offseason, signing Gabe Davis and drafting Brian Thomas Jr.
The more important concern with Engram is his age and lack of touchdown production. He turns 30 years old right before the start of the regular season. The veteran tight end has one year with more than four receiving touchdowns in his career, coming in his rookie season (2017).
Engram finished with at least 11.2% more receptions, targets, and routes run than any other tight end in 2023. However, he ranked 12th among tight ends and 54th in the NFL with four receiving touchdowns. Yet, that wasn’t a surprise, as the veteran has 18 receiving touchdowns in 84 career games since his rookie season (3.2% TD rate).
Dynasty Football Outlook
Dynasty fantasy football managers should explore selling high on Engram. His 2023 production was largely because of target volume, including a 26.5% increase in targets per game with versus without Kirk. The veteran is entering his age 30 season. More importantly, Jacksonville added two explosive wide receivers this offseason, including one with their first-round pick. Engram won’t see the same target volume in 2024 that he did last year.
Evan Engram Fantsay Football Outlook: Final Thoughts
While everything in this article has suggested that the veteran is a bad fantasy pick this season, Engram is a solid mid-round selection. However, fantasy players shouldn’t draft him ahead of Pitts or Kittle. Furthermore, he is the TE9 in my rankings, behind the big five, Pitts, Kittle, and Jake Ferguson. While Engram was a draft bargain last year, fantasy players shouldn’t expect similar production in 2024.
Trending Now
Join a Fantasy Football League
Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie ADP
