The Denver Broncos have just made a savvy maneuver. They re-signed tight end Evan Engram on a two-year, $23 million deal. The Cowboys, as we’ve mentioned, have high hopes for Engram to scintillate their deep attack. They’re particularly relying on him in the red zone and third down situations. After signing him from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Engram’s impact was felt immediately with 47 receptions in just nine games. This performance would have blown away the combined tight end numbers of the Broncos since Noah Fant’s 68 receptions in 2021.
Evan Engram’s addition to the Broncos roster comes after extensive evaluation and interaction. The Broncos invited Engram to their facility for two days in a row. They committed to spending meaningful time with him before closing the deal. As GM George Paton articulated him during the draft process as a “mismatch guy,” Engram will be able to find ways to get open against NFL defenses.
During the 2023 season, Engram continued to demonstrate just how deadly dynamic versatility can be. Further, 80 of his receptions came from the slot, which represents 729 of his 963 total receiving yards. On/off the field – This skill set aligns perfectly with Coach Sean Payton’s blueprint. He’s looking for a potentially more versatile and well-rounded player in the tight end position.
“You generally don’t get both [receiving and blocking ability] coming out of college, and I say that respectfully,” – Sean Payton.
Engram had a breakout run with the Jaguars, catching 32 of his 47 slots from the slot. He logged 231 of his 365 receiving yards in true clutch situations– what a baller! His ability to stretch the field and draw double coverage should be extremely impactful for sophomore quarterback Bo Nix. This will be Nix’s second season with the Broncos.
In particular, Nix underscores the importance of capitalizing on key game swings. He reminds us of the importance of red zone and third down plays.
“Just understanding the difference in NFL and what I learned this year with red zone and third downs — those are the most important parts of the game,” – Bo Nix.
Engram’s ability to make significant contributions in these areas is anticipated to provide Nix with a reliable target, potentially transforming the Broncos’ offensive dynamic.
Tez Johnson, an observer of the Broncos’ games due to his connection with Bo Nix, noted Nix’s capability to utilize every asset on the field effectively.
“When he’s got the targets, he’ll hit them. When they get more and more around him, he’ll use everybody, the whole field,” – Tez Johnson.
Engram’s arrival couldn’t come fast enough for the Broncos as they look to fix year’s past mistakes and open up their offensive playbook. His skills offer a boost in receiving and present an opportunity for development in run blocking, a challenge Coach Payton believes can be addressed through focused training.
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