The New York Giants did not use their franchise tag on Evan Engram, but multiple teams around the league did designate their tight ends as franchise players.
David Njoku, Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz were all slapped with the franchise tag and that will have a ripple effect on the position. One that will likely impact both the Giants and Engram.
The Giants have informed Engram that they’d like to bring him back but there is one caveat. It would have to come at a team-friendly price.
On a side note: If all the TEs I mentioned here do get the "franchise tag", you know who will suddenly vault to near the head of the class?
Evan Engram.
The Giants told his reps they'd like to keep him at the right price, but they can't afford what his price is going to be. https://t.co/WusUOvNa0C
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 7, 2022
Given the franchise tag value for tight ends ($10.931 million) and what’s likely to be available on the market, Engram is in line for a potentially substantial pay day. In fact, he appeared to recognize that reality on Tuesday amidst the wave of franchise designations.
😁
— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) March 8, 2022
Some Giants fans may scoff at the notion Engram will get paid, but his athleticism and talent are undeniable. He may have some consistency issues, but that’s nothing a change of scenery can’t potentially correct.
“Evan has the chance to be a top tight end but he has to focus on some key fundamentals,” an NFC offensive coach tells FanSided. “He needs to refine details like catch fundamentals, battling for contested catches, and Yards after The Catch. He can do all of those things, but that’s what made him special early in his career.”
Engram is younger than Rob Gronkowski and Zach Ertz, more of a mismatch threat than Eric Ebron, and more productive than Robert Tonyan and O.J. Howard. He’s going to get paid. And probably a lot more than the Giants would be willing to or could afford.
