The addition of 31-year-old tight end Evan Engram gives the Denver Broncos their first TE addition via free agency. He received a two-year contract worth $23 million during the offseason. As the team navigates various challenges, including injuries at the tight end position, Engram has become crucial to the Broncos’ offensive strategy. His recent performance against the Washington Commanders showcased his potential as a significant contributor, raising expectations for his role going forward.
During their most recent meeting, Engram caught a season-high six passes for 79 yards. Of these receptions, half of them occurred in critical situations. Whether it was in the overtime drive or right before half on a touchdown drive. This knack for making the big play further drives home Engram’s worth as a dependable option in important moments.
Engram’s performance this season has been impressive. He recorded 339 yards receiving, with an astounding 249 of those yards coming after the catch. This cool stat speaks to his elusiveness and playmaking after the catch as he created a lot of plays on his receptions. In fact, an astounding 73.2% of his receiving yards are from yak—yards after the catch. This is a reflection of how good he is at taking checkdowns to the house.
Despite these strengths, Engram faces challenges. He has a minus-5.9 receptions over expectation, dead last among all tight ends with catches this year. This comparison leads to questions about his reliability. It further undercuts his agency in delivering on the big, flashy vision he was brought on board to deliver on.
As it stands, Engram is third on the Broncos roster with 38 catches. He has exceeded 30 offensive snaps in only three games this season. This worrisome number suggests usage constraints for him when it comes to his on-field presence. His high-water mark so far this season came in Week 7 against the Giants where he played 45 offensive snaps. As the season progresses, the Broncos will need Engram to enhance his contributions to offset the injuries affecting their tight end depth.
When Engram first arrived in Denver, coaches dreamed of him being a match up nightmare that scared opposing defenses. They especially looked forward to his influence on the intermediate sections of the field. Head Coach Sean Payton has a creative flair for using these special players as chess pieces in his offense. He calls these positions “reference” roles. This role has been filled by notable players like Alvin Kamara and Reggie Bush in the past.
Engram knows that what he’s doing is hard and he’s okay with that weight. He stated, “I think everybody on this team prides themselves on answering the bell.” He further emphasized his commitment to contributing to team success: “That’s what I want to do. Answer the bell, every time, when needed and help us get wins.”
Engram is establishing great chemistry with Payton’s offensive design. He was very encouraged with the state of the team’s pace and execution of plays. He mentioned, “I’ve said we’re just really confident in our tempo and our two-minute, the menu of plays that we run.” His eagerness to talk about the game plan is just one example of the overall confidence coming from this still very young team.
Payton’s expectation for Engram’s continued development and impact remains high. He remarked, “It’s hard to predict where the ball goes sometimes. Sometimes the coverage dictates it. We’ll keep looking for those touches [for Engram]. … He’s doing really good.”
Engram expressed a sense of familiarity with Playton’s approach: “Sean [Payton] always calls them ‘songs that we know.’” This nuanced understanding of the system would be valuable going forward as he looks to earn a higher-leverage role on the team.
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