Overview
Position: Tight End
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 236 pounds
School: Ole Miss Rebels
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds (best among tight ends)
Bench press: 19 reps
Vertical jump: 36 inches (fifth among tight ends)
Broad jump: 10 feet, 5 inches
Three-cone drill: 6.92 seconds (second among tight ends)
20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds (third among tight ends)
Evan Engram 2017 NFL Draft Profile
Evan Engram is the perfect example of a move tight end. As a former wide receiver, Engram has the ability to line up wide and become a matchup nightmare. However, he does have the size and strength to help on the inside and in the blocking game.
Engram came out of high school as a wide receiver prospect. Hailing from Powder Springs, GA, he was the 81st player in the state, and was the 115th ranked wide receiver prospect in the country. However, in his move to tight end, he was able to start almost immediately. Despite dealing with an injury during the season, Engram started four games and appeared in eight as a freshman, hauling in 21 passes and three touchdown receptions.
As a sophomore, he caught 38 passes for 662 yards and two touchdowns. It was enough to earn him unanimous All-SEC honors. A year later, he was named to the preseason All-SEC team, and was labeled a team captain for the first time. His season featured 38 receptions, for 464. While Hunter Henry outshined him for All-SEC honors, it was a respectable year nonetheless.
However, his senior his season is when he truly exploded as a draft prospect. He hauled in career highs in receptions (65), yards (926) and touchdowns (eight). It not only earned him All-SEC honors, but he made first team all-American as well. This caught the eyes of many in the draft community, and with a strong week at the Senior Bowl, he firmly became a prospect that was widely talked about.
Strengths
- Speed and athleticism.
- Ability to attack the seams and open up the field for others.
- Can find holes in the middle of the field and sit in them.
- Strong footwork.
- Has lined up wide, in the slot, inline, and as an H-back.
- Strong vision and ability to create yards after the catch.
- Willing blocker.
Weaknesses
- Struggles with physical, contested catches.
- Not a dependable blocker.
- Needs better form to avoid getting knocked off of his spot.
- Could add strength.
NFL Comparison: Jordan Reed
Teams with needs at position: Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets
Projection: second round
Bottom Line
A player such as Reed is likely the ceiling for Engram. That said, that is one heck of a ceiling. Engram is a move tight end, and will not be a punishing blocker in the league. He will likely need to be paired with an option who can block inline, but he makes game planning a difficult task. He is a big body with speed and athleticism who is too big for slot corners, but too fast for linebackers.
If Engram can add some strength, and form as an inline blocker, he would be one of the premier tight ends in the NFL. Still, in the passing league that we now are in, there is no better weapon to have. Without being a complete threat, there is little chance that he would be worth a round one selection. But, with his upside and proven athleticism, talent and fit in the NFL, it would be improbable to see him fall out of round two.
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