MARKET DRIVEN
Injury-prone Engram looking to earn Spot among elite TEs
Here is the one Evan Engram trade the Giants would be happy to make: Dump his injury problems and add his big contract.
The top of the tight-end market was shattered this month when the 49ers extended George Kittle (five years, $75 million) and the Chiefs extended Travis Kelce (four years, $57.5 million). Next move belongs to the Eagles with Zach Ertz, and then likely the Giants with Engram, whose team option for 2021 was exercised in May.
“I think it’s awesome for those guys. They’ve worked their butts off — very talented guys and leaders of their teams,” Engram said of Kelce and Kittle, who squared off in Super Bowl LIV.
“That’s kind of my motivation right now, to continue to get better with my talents and continue to push my team. I’m not going to worry about the numbers and the contracts. My focus is becoming a better leader, better teammate and better football player.”
The Giants have resisted inquiries to trade their 2017 firstround pick for two years, only to see him miss 13 games due to various injuries during that time. The long-term bet placed is that a fully healthy season results in monster numbers.
A third coaching staff in four years is drooling at scheming matchup nightmares. This time, it’s coordinator Jason Garrett’s offense, which previously featured future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten.
“It’s always a question of, ‘Can this guy reach his potential based on the way he’s working?’ ” coach
Joe Judge said. “I think this guy [Engram] can. He has a high ceiling. A lot of guys have a lot of talent and aren’t as open to coaching. He listens to everything you say and tries to apply every technique as detailed as he can.”
Judge and Engram first met in January, when Engram was rehabbing in East Rutherford after foot surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury. Engram returned from training in Georgia during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic having added some “good weight,” without any conditioning issues sometimes caused by time spent in a walking boot.
“He has a large gas tank to keep pushing through the day,” Judge said. “I kind of just tell him, ‘Man, I love watching you practice. Let’s not disappoint me out there today.’ I turn his tape on and see him flying around. He’s a fun guy to watch play because he has a lot of ability, but he loves the game, too.”
Judge is going to like what he saw on display Monday: Breakaway speed after the catch, finishing blocks and a quick bounce-back from his one drop.
Engram is the key in elevating the Giants from a good offense to elite by keeping the box honest for Saquon Barkley and drawing coverage away from Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. And he is practicing like he knows it. Maybe a little added intensity? “Definitely myself, for sure,” Engram said. “Just getting out there with all of the new coaches and new offense, energy is very high. The urgency is high.”
The Giants signed free agent Levine Toilolo as a block-first tight end, but that doesn’t mean putting Engram in Bubble Wrap during certain situations with increased physicality.
“We’re not going to live in fear,” tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens said.
Engram’s salary jumps from $1.9 million in 2020 to $6 million in 2021. If he stays healthy and meets expectations, he should have the leverage to join the upper echelon of tight ends next offseason.
But he’s not looking forward to possibilities. Just like he’s not looking back at frustrations.
“I’m living in the now,” Engram said. “I just know I’m blessed to be healthy right now and to be back on the field with my guys. Each day is an opportunity to empty the tank. I’m not going to take that for granted.”