When the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to essentially dismantle their roster following a 4-13 season in 2024, the Denver Broncos pounced.
In doing so, the Broncos addressed probably their most pressing positional need at tight end, signing 2-time Pro Bowler Evan Engram to a 2-year, $23 million contract with $16.5 million in guaranteed money on March 12.
Engram will take over the vaunted “Joker” role in head coach Sean Payton’s offense.
After getting a first look at Engram in minicamp, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport put the 9-year veteran on his list of players with stock “skyrocketing” headed into the final stretch of the offseason — something that should make real football fans and fantasy football fans eyes light up.
“The Joker isn’t just Batman’s arch nemesis,” Davenport wrote on June 14. “It’s also a big part of what Sean Payton wants to do offensively this season. As badly as the Broncos need reliable passing-game weapons to complement wide receiver Courtland Sutton, fantasy managers need consistently productive tight ends even more — the lack of depth at the position this year is a real problem.”
Engram Called ‘Perfect Fit’ For Broncos
CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin singled out Engram as the perfect fit for the Broncos after he was released by the Jaguars on March 6 in a move to free up approximately $6 million in salary cap space.
“Sean Payton has been looking for a pass-catcher that can work in the short areas of the field,” Dubin wrote. “He would ideally get what he calls a ‘joker’ who can operate out of the backfield as well, but giving Bo Nix another target on underneath passes — and one who has experience creating yards after the catch — is a worthwhile bet.”
Engram One of NFL’s Elite Tight Ends
For the Broncos, getting Engram at this point in his career could represent an outstanding value — he’s coming off the worst statistical season of his career in 2024 with just 47 receptions for 365 yards and 1 touchdown in 9 games.
Engram finished the season on the injured reserve with a torn labrum as the Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pedersen and replaced him with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
Engram still had one season remaining on the 3-year, $41.25 million contract extension he signed with the Jaguars in 2023 when he was released. He will have approximately $67.9 million in career earnings when he cashes out all the guaranteed money in his current deal.
Engram, 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, should have plenty left in the tank. While he will turn 31 years old in September, he’s only one season removed from having career highs of 114 receptions and 963 yards in 2023.
He spent the first 5 seasons of his career with the New York Giants, who selected him in the first round (No. 23 overall) out of Ole Miss in the 2017 NFL draft.
The Broncos didn’t stop with Engram when it comes to revamping their tight ends room. They also spent a seventh round pick on 6-foot-7, 250-pound Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, who only played one season of college football after playing 5 seasons of college basketball for BYU, Baylor and Utah.
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