When breaking down the New York Giants, there’s really no question about it — running back Saquon Barkley is their best player and the one defensive coordinators have fits over.
But beyond Barkley, who stands out above the rest?
There are some arguments to be had for wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman B.J. Hill and safety Jabrill Peppers, but at least one veteran NFL scout gives the nod to tight end Evan Engram.
“It’s Evan Engram,” the scout told NJ Advance Media. “He’s a playmaker. He’s got speed and great hands.”
The 24-year-old Engram has flashed at times over his first two seasons, but he’s also frequently found himself plagued by both drops and injuries, missing six games since 2017, including five last year.
However, when wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. went down hurt a season ago, Engram stepped up and stepped in, hauling in 22 receptions for 320 yards and one touchdown over the final quarter of the season. It was the sort of consistent production the Giants expected from the tight end when they took him in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Entering his third season and the second in Pat Shurmur’s offense, expectations for Engram are sky-high and he’s not shying away the pressure.
“I mean I just try to be as versatile as I can be,” Engram told reporters during OTAs. “I like making plays when the ball is in my hands. The coaches did a really good job last year of working around not having Odell Beckham Jr. and definitely trying to get guys in different positions.
“Definitely going to look forward to doing more of that this year, and like I always say, just doing whatever I am asked to do to the best of my ability.”
With Beckham now in Cleveland, Engram will be looked upon to pick up a lot of that slack. And so long as he can remain healthy, there’s no reason to believe a breakout isn’t on tap.
