ESPN Rankings: Jaguars' Evan Engram Ranked NFL's No. 8 TE
Evan Engram has finally begun to earn the recognition he deserves.
Engram was one of the NFL's most productive tight ends in 2022, stepping into a gaping hole on the Jaguars' roster and using a prove-it contract to establish himself as one of the Jaguars' top weapons, leaders, and workers.
Now, Engram has become the first Jaguars tight end to ever find himself in ESPN's rankings of the league's top tight ends, coming in at No. 8. One voter ranked Engram as high as the No. 5 tight end in the NFL.
"Evaluators stuck with Engram despite lean years in New York, placing him in 2021's top 10 amid pedestrian production. Fast-forward and he is deservedly back among the best after a banner year in Jacksonville," ESPN said.
"Engram ranked among the top four in tight ends in receptions (73), receiving yards (766) and yards after catch (475). He was particularly good late in the year, during Jacksonville's playoff push, ranking third among all NFL players in yards after catch (294). "He can create mismatches from various alignments, and he can win against various types of defensive personnel -- linebacker, corner, safety," a high-ranking NFL official said. "Underrated blocker."
"As part of ESPN's 2023 NFL season preview, we surveyed league executives, coaches, scouts and players to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions," ESPN said.
Engram is the first Jaguars player to earn a spot on ESPN's annual top-10 rankings for the 2023 season. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun was an honorable mention for the linebacker spot and Tyson Campbell earned votes at cornerback, but the Jaguars had no players listed for the defensive line, EDGE, or safety rankings.
"By way of refresher, here's how our process works: Voters give us their best 10 players at a position, then we compile the results and rank candidates based on number of top-10 votes, composite average, along with dozens of interviews, research and film-study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen. In total, more than 80 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. We had several ties, so we broke them with the help of additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed."
Engram had a career year in 2022 as he caught 73 passes for 766 yards and four touchdowns, along with 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in two playoff games.
Engram not only finished fourth among all tight ends in receiving yards, but he set a franchise record for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in a single season.
Engram has been franchise-tagged for the 2023 season, with the Jaguars and Engram having until July 17 to reach a long-term deal.
The only tight ends ranked ahead of Engram were Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Dalles Goedert, Darren Waller, T.J. Hockenson, and Kyle Pitts. He was ranked ahead of tight ends such as Pat Freiermuth, Dawson Knox, David Njoku, Dalton Schultz, Noah Fant, Hunter Henry, Tyler Higbee, and Cole Kmet.
