Evan

Engram

Engram totaled six targets as the Jaguars’ No. 2 pass-catching option against the Titans. With Mac Jones at quarterback, Engram’s targets were mostly shallow receptions, averaging just over eight yards per catch. He remains the team’s top tight end with Mac Jones at quarterback, though the Jags offense is inefficient. Engram will be back-end TE1 for Week 15 against the Jets.

The targets are there, but they aren’t going anywhere. Engram has had five or more targets in every game since Week 7, and has yardage totals over that span of: 35, 36, 45, 40, 28, and now 41. He’s become a touchdown-or-bust player in an offense that rarely scores. This offense simply isn’t playing well enough to support Engram’s TE1 status as a tertiary receiver. He’ll be on the borderline again in Week 14 against the Titans.

Engram led the Jags with eight targets last week and tied Brian Thomas Jr. for a team-high in targets this time around. It was all for naught in both contests as he went for 40 scoreless yards in Week 10 and did even less this time around. Even though Mac Jones has leaned on Engram as an outlet option in two starts, the offense is in no state to support a TE1. Engram will reclaim his TE1 ranking if Trevor Lawrence is back after the Jags’ Week 12 bye but will be stuck just outside the top 12 if he can’t suit up.

Engram was the only pass catcher fill-in QB Mac Jones could find with any regularity. Engram’s six grabs were just two fewer than the rest of the team combined. That included two for Brian Thomas Jr. Bleak. Not that Engram’s fantasy managers are complaining. Engram’s entire deal is empty-calorie PPR compiling, and it should be able to continue even if Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) misses another game against the Lions next weekend. That being said, Engram will slot more into the TE9-12 range than 5-8 if it’s another Jones start.

Much of Engram’s production came on a 24-yard reception in the third quarter in tight coverage. He also caught a two point conversion in the second half. Engram, with 14 receptions over the past three games, easily led all Jacksonville pass catchers in targets as Trevor Lawrence’s primary check down option. Engram should continue functioning as a reliable PPR option in Week 10 against the Vikings.

Thomas Jr. is still getting imaging done, but the early indications are that the Jaguars should be prepared to be without him for the short-term. It’s possible the injury is bad enough to place him on IR. Jacksonville’s receiving room is in shambles after losing both Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk to injury against the Packers, leaving Parker Washington, Tim Jones, and Evan Engram as the primary receivers. Engram should be the fantasy priority in any leagues where he’s available, while Washington has shown enough juice to perhaps be a FLEX play while Thomas Jr. is down.

Engram’s touchdown was a fourth-quarter 14-yarder where he skied over Keisean Nixon for an end zone high point. It’s surprising Engram didn’t stack more targets and catches, as Gabe Davis (shoulder), Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Christian Kirk (shoulder) all departed with injury. “How much can he handle” will be the Week 9 story for Engram against the Eagles, though he will be a high-end TE1 regardless of how many of his receiver teammates suit up.

Engram has caught 15-of-15 targets over the last two weeks and should remain hot as a locked-in TE1 against the Packers. His hamstring is as healthy as it’s been since Week 1 and he remains a favorite of Trevor Lawrence.

Engram has finally graduated to Full Participant status and can be expected to handle his typical, high-volume workload against the Packers. As long as he remains setback-free this week, he should be off of the injury report entirely in Week 9.

Engram returned to the field after a four-game absence last week and amassed 10 catches for 102 yards. He didn’t post a gaudy receiving line this time around but was just as involved. Because Trevor Lawrence only attempted 20 passes, Engram’s five looks were good for a 25 percent target share. He tied Brian Thomas Jr. for a team-high in targets. Engram is one of Lawrence’s favorite targets and that will result in better fantasy outings when the Jags are forced the throw more. That should happen versus the Packers next week. He will sit comfortably in the TE1 ranks for Week 8.