Jaguars Mailbag: What Will Happen With Evan Engram's Contract?
Throughout the offseason, we will be taking questions on the biggest questions facing the Jacksonville Jaguars until Week 1.
You can submit your questions every week by tweeting them to the Jaguar Report Twitter handle or by submitting them here.
In this week's mailbag, we take questions on training camp, Evan Engram, who might lead in key stats, and more.
Q: Hi John, can't wait to be reading your every word for training camp. Speaking of, which position group will you be most interested and/or anxious in watching?
A: I am fascinated in watching the offensive line. The line is surely better than most outside analysts have it ranked, but there are still plenty of questions that have to be answered. I want to see if Luke Fortner really did get stronger this offseason, because it was evident in last year's training camp that it would be an issue. I also am interested in seeing how the left guard battle between Tyler Shatley and Ben Bartch plays out, plus how Anton Harrison transitions to the right side once the pads come on. Also, how many reps do the Jaguars let Cam Robinson grab since he is eligible to practice?
In terms of anxiousness, I think the pass-rush unit is definitely up there. Josh Allen is an established pass-rusher, but Travon Walker needs to show a step taken forward, while a backup group of K'Lavon Chaisson, Jordan Smith and Yasir Abdullah need to show something to convince the Jaguars that their pass-rush depth isn't an issue.
Q: The Jaguars traded up in the 5th Round last year to draft Snoop Conner. However, he rarely saw the field last season and was mostly inactive on Game Day. What did the team scouts see in Snoop to trade up for him and what factors kept him on the bench all year, even with the Special Teams? Do you think Snoop is destined for the Practice Squad this season given the added depth to the running back room this past offseason?
A: I think that the Jaguars loved his physicality and aggressive north/south running style. He scored a ton of short-yardage touchdowns at Ole Miss that showed an ability to do the dirty work for a running game, something the Jaguars weren't sure about when it came to Travis Etienne. However, there was a lack of passing game production from Conner at Ole Miss that I believe led to him not seeing the field much as a rookie. When Etienne wasn't on the field, the Jaguars were going to go with the running back they were convinced would be the most reliable in pass-protection, and that was JaMycal Hasty. Add in Conner not being a special teams player, and this led to his subsequent playing time.
I do think Conner will have to fight for a role this camp and preseason. The Jaguars have roster spots locked up in Etienne and Tank Bigsby, while I find it hard to believe that Hasty would be on the roster bubble after he earned some fans in the building with his play last year. That means Conner and D'Ernest Johnson will have to duke it out for the fourth spot, which could spell trouble for Conner since Johnson is a true special teams ace.
Q: Hi John, love your work. Thanks for the consistent Jags content!… My question is: do you see any scenario outside of Trevor Lawrence being the unquestionable 2nd best QB in the league where the Jags can make the AFC title game? It seems like our defense doesn’t have the difference-makers to make a deep playoff run
A: I absolutely do. Worse defenses than the Jaguars have had AFC title game appearances in recent years, and the Jaguars' defense is one that last year showed it can get hot and make game-changing plays. It may not be a good defense yet, but it is a defense that has shown the ability to make the kind of big plays that decide games.
Q: Who are your top players to watch during training camp and why?
A: I will go with Anton Harrison/Walker Little, just because their battles against Travon Walker and Josh Allen will probably be the most eventful one-on-one matchups of camp. I am also fascinated to see if Tank Bigsby can keep his momentum from the offseason, with Bigsby looking like one of the more exciting offensive players on the roster during OTAs and minicamp.
Q: Who is the top sleeper to watch before camp? Someone who most people don't think of as a potential roster spot
A: Gerrit Prince. I think most people outside of the Jaguars' building probably don't think much of Prince since he was an undrafted free agent who spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, but Prince is someone who made a big impression on the Jaguars in practice last year and in this year's offseason program. I think he is the favorite for the No. 4 tight end spot and could even push Brenton Strange as the No. 3 tight end behind Evan Engram and Luke Farrell.
Q: Who leads the team in ... touchdown catches, sacks, and interceptions?
A: I will go with ...
Calvin Ridley for touchdown catches. I think he will generate a lot of big plays and be a red-zone matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
For sacks, I will go with Josh Allen. Allen's floor, to me, is seven sacks. I am not sure anyone else on the roster can hit those numbers yet.
For interceptions, I am going with Andre Cisco. Cisco is a natural ballhawk who had plenty of chances to rack up interceptions last year, something I expect to continue in his second year as a starter.
Q: Does anyone have a lot to lose in training camp? Someone with a lot of pressure on them to perform?
A: I think K'Lavon Chaisson and Tre Herndon are the two names to watch in this regard.
Chaisson has gotten a lot of support from the Jaguars' coaching staff this offseason, with several assistants noting that they think Chaisson is in line to have a strong season. Due to the Jaguars' lack of moves at the pass-rusher position in free-agency and the NFL Draft, Chaisson is the first player in line to be the Jaguars' No. 3 edge rusher. But if Chaisson has a slow start to camp and isn't making an impact, the pressure could be on the Jaguars to dip into the free-agent market to potentially replace him.
As for Herndon, he will enter camp as the clear starter at the nickel cornerback position. Herndon normally has terrific showings in training camp so he shouldn't be expected to have a rough go at it, but the Jaguars do have three rookie defensive backs in Antonio Johnson, Christian Braswell and Erick Hallett II who are ready to push him for playing time.
Q: Does Evan Engram sign a new contract?
A: The clock is ticking for Engram and the Jaguars to agree to terms on a long-term extension. Engram has until 4 p.m. on July 17 to sign a new deal or else he will have to spend the 2023 season on the franchise tag, which gives him and the Jaguars just a couple more days to knock a deal out.
My personal guess is that Engram will have to play on the tag, despite both sides wanting a deal done. I do think the slow tight end market this offseason hurt Engram's chances to get a deal that his 2022 production and impact on and off the field says he deserves. I also think the Jaguars are attempting to be cognizant of future contracts, with the 2021 draft class being eligible for extensions this offseason and with Calvin Ridley and Josh Allen having expiring deals.
I think Engram plays on the tag, even if it isn't the most ideal outcome.
