The rise of Evan Engram
By: Jake Rajala
The former 23rd overall pick from the 2017 draft, Evan Engram, is a match-up nightmare. He ran a 4.42 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. He is also 6’4. With Bo Nix out of the game, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the new, young QB Jarrett Stidham checked the ball down a lot to Engram in the short passing game. He will want to play it safe.
Engram notched 461 yards this season. He also had a PFF grade of 56.9. It’s safe to say he wasn’t popular from the eyes of PFF. He’s noticeably better than Broncos TE2 Adam Trautman, who brought home 195 receiving yards this season.
I believe his 2023 version is still in him. He recorded 963 yards in the season. It’s his first season in Denver, so it’s safe to say he has still been adjusting to the system.
The Broncos face off against the Drake Maye-led Pats next week. The Pats secondary is stout, particularly at CB. Christian Gonzalez doesn’t give up cheap yardage. The Pats intercepted CJ Stroud four times yesterday. Yes, you read that correctly.
The Pats rank seventh when it comes to passing YPG allowed. They rank 16th in interceptions, so I’d like to see them be more consistent.
Engram doesn’t need to have 100 yard receiving to be an x factor. He could have 4 catches for 40 yards with three of the catches coming on a 2 minute drive. Or perhaps he draws a pass interference from a LB on the final drive.
We’ve witnessed Taysom Hill have a career performance in the playoffs (against the Vikings), when Payton was in the Big Easy. He has a similar skillet to Engram. I’d even say Engram is a better pass catcher. Hopefully, Engram can reach his full potential and help his team shine.
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