NYG Engram - Traditional TE?

[RenMasters]

Giants OC Mike Sullivan said first-round pick Evan Engram will be taught to play as a traditional tight end.

It's something Engram very rarely did at Ole Miss, and also not something he's physically built for at 6-foot-3, 234. "He is not a big wide receiver," Sullivan mistakenly insisted. "We do feel comfortable about the things we want him to do when he has his hand in the ground." Added coach Ben McAdoo, "Everything is going to be a challenge (for Engram). He is coming from more of a spread-type offense where he was off the ball a ton." We're not anticipating fantasy relevance from Engram as a rookie. May 12 - 5:08 PM

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/12205/evan-engram


I don't like the sounds of this! Engram's looks like a big WR to me. I'm sitting at the 2.01 pick in my draft and want to grab Engram. Then I read this on Roto. Now I'm unsure. What does everyone else think about these comments?

[Troyte83]

If they were so focused on blocking they would have drafted a lineman. They didn't pick him in the first round to block. Pick without hesitance

[Space Cowboy]

There's tons of successful TE's who can't block. The days of starting TEs weighing 270 pounds, catching 30 passes and blocking like mad men are pretty much over. Unless you're a 5th/6th round pick.

[HawkeyeState]

If they try and make Engram a traditional in-line blocking TE then the Giants deserve to never win a super bowl again.
They knew what they were getting with Engram. He's basically Mike Evans, he's 6'3" 234 and runs a 4.42. Evans 6'5" 231 and ran 4.53.
So Evans is is 2 inches taller but Engram ran 0.11 faster in the 40.
Engram is a willing blocker that does have some effectiveness at times, but he'll never been an every down blocker.
Brandon Marshall is their "big" WR for now, but if you ask me he's done and I think his comments that he has this year and 1 more left before retiring signals the same.
Ironically, this gives plenty of time for Engram to learn the offense and develop as Marshall is retiring and Engram is just hitting his groove.

I'm getting my hands on Engram every opportunity I get.

[Weeman]

Don't let reports sway you. The Giants drafted Engram knowing his strengths limitations & how he would fit in their system.

This is a guy that scouts compare & see as a Jordan Reed type player. His size & speed are great for a tweener TE. He is going to create mismatches & make the Giants offense more potent. Don't pass this guy up!

[theone]

This is pure coach speak you can ignore. Yes, of course they will teach Engram inline TE techniques to be used occasionally. But they obviously will not use him primarily as an inline TE. His lean frame does not have the body mass necessary to be used that way and I highly doubt they will ask him to add 20 lbs. NY also brought in Rhett Ellison to be the primary blocking TE. Feel confident taking a productive TE with high-end WR measurables.

[lukkynumber13]

This is pure coach speak you can ignore. Yes, of course they will teach Engram inline TE techniques to be used occasionally. But they obviously will not use him primarily as an inline TE. His lean frame does not have the body mass necessary to be used that way and I highly doubt they will ask him to add 20 lbs. NY also brought in Rhett Ellison to be the primary blocking TE. Feel confident taking a productive TE with high-end WR measurables.

X2

[Cameron Giles]

If you already liked Engram before you read this, then how would it scare you? If you've watched 1 minute of Engram, then you already knew he's not a traditional TE. He's basically a WR, but he's a pretty good one. Engram is a nice talent, but because he can't block, his immediate impact is going to be very questionable. Hell, even if he could block, his immediate impact is questionable. Most rookie TE's don't do anything.

[FiremanEd]

If anything this seems like a plus given that it all but assures he won't get moved to WR designation. What the chance of that was to begin with I'm not truly sure, but it was a risk, and arguably the biggest one in my eyes given it would remove the positional value I have associated with him.

Like others have said, the Giants knew what he was when they drafted him. He has unique skills that you had to have a plan to use if you drafted him. Year 1 he can expand his game and knowledge of traditional TE use, but expect his game to be focused on catching passes going forward. I expect the benefits of him to come Year 2.

[thebeast]

I think he is behind OBJ, Marshall, Shepherd, and probably Shane Vereen for passing work. And he's a rookie TE on top of that. I wouldn't spend 2.01 on him.

[lukkynumber13]

I think he is behind OBJ, Marshall, Shepherd, and probably Shane Vereen for passing work. And he's a rookie TE on top of that. I wouldn't spend 2.01 on him.

Not sure what your 1st statement has to do with you 3rd one?

Who drafts elite TE prospects with the hope of starting them right away? He should be 3rd on the totem poll by next season.

[Goddard]

NY will figure out how to utilize his strengths.

[Snake]

I've read notes from a few scouts that think he's a better blocker than Njoku.

Possible Jordan Reed role, sign me up. Same goes for Everett.

[Coogan Football]

FWIW Engram looked like a great blocker during Senior Bowl week. During his Friday practice I stood about 20 feet away from he and OJ Howard and he looked way better than OJH that whole 30 minutes they did blocking technique stuff.


As others have said, this is just coach speak and is pretty meaningless​ IMO, his tape says it all and this shouldn't sway you.

[Pac_Eddy]

While it is "just coach speak", there is reason for concern. Engram played college ball mostly split wide as a WR. If the Giants are going to make him play on the line, he's got more to accomplish to get regular playing time.

The best news would be for the coaches to say he'll play split wide like in college, so this isn't good news. It's still very minor news though. I think some owners need to cool their jets on year 1 and 2 production as you'll likely never start him in 12 team, 1 TE league.