EvanEngram

News: 13 hours agoEngram was a standout during Jacksonville's final joint practice with the Buccaneers on Thursday, Zach Goodall of USA Today reports.

Spin: Engram connected with quarterback Trevor Lawrence on a deep ball during the final day of joint practices with Tampa Bay, per Goodall. The veteran tight end is coming off a career-best 2023 campaign in which he tallied a 114-963-4 receiving line across 17 regular-season contests, and he remains slated for an integral role in Jacksonville's receiving game. Former top wideout Calvin Ridley departed for Tennessee in free agency, though the Jaguars added veteran Gabe Davis and rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas to the wide receiver corps. Trevor Lawrence isn't slated to play in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay, meaning Engram will also likely sit out. That will make his final chance to log exhibition action Aug. 23 versus the Falcons.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Can Engram match an awesome 2023 that saw him finish just two catches shy of Jimmy Smith's single-season franchise record for receptions? Adding to the historic nature of last season, Engram also produced the fewest yards ever for a player with at least 114 catches, so there's that. Engram's constant command of Trevor Lawrence's attention led to a career year, in which he finished as TE2. Gone are Calvin Ridley's 136 targets from last season, so Engram is again set for a sizable stake in this passing game in 2024. Even with some regression possible in the target and reception departments, Engram is the rare early-round tight end in fantasy with an entirely reasonable projection for at least 120 looks in this offense.