Evan Engram was on the fast track toward stardom after a record-breaking rookie season. Injuries robbed the New York Giants tight end of fulfilling that potential in 2018, though, as he played just 11 games. But with kickoff of the regular season right around the corner, Engram is excited to re-establish himself as one of the NFL's most promising young pass-catching weapons.
The third-year pro told Giants reporter Madelyn Burke on Monday that he is like a “jack in the box, ready to spring out” as his team prepares for a Week 1 tilt with the Dallas Cowboys.
Engram is poised for an increased role this season in wake of Odell Beckham Jr.'s departure to the Cleveland Browns. Fellow receiver Sterling Shepard, now New York's No. 1 wideout, clearly believes his teammate is up to the task.
“He’s a matchup nightmare, and I’ve said that since Day 1 since I seen him — the man looks like a wide receiver, he runs like a wide receiver just in a tight end’s body,” he said of Engram, per Steve Serby of the New York Post.
Engram was the No. 23 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Ole Miss product quickly became an impact player during his debut season, finishing with 64 catches for 722 yards and six touchdowns, the latter number of which was a record for rookie tight ends.
The injury bug bit last season, though, as Engram missed five games with a concussion as well as knee and hamstring injuries. Though he missed a portion of offseason training with another hamstring issue, Engram is clearly ready to prove himself as the regular season dawns.