After being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars this spring, veteran tight end Evan Engram signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Denver Broncos.
Engram will now serve the “Joker” role in coach Sean Payton’s offense, and former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey believes the tight end will be a perfect fit.
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“They’re going to use him as a big receiver in the passing game, and he can sometimes be a quarterback’s best friend,” McCaffrey said during a recent interview with RG.org’s DJ Siddiqi. “Usually, the tight ends run routes that are a little closer to the quarterback over the middle of the field, easy targets for the QB. If he gets pressure, they need a guy that can win in one-on-one situations at that tight end position. So that was a big pickup.”
Engram was hindered by injuries last fall, but he hauled in 114 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He’s a big (6-3, 240 pounds) target for second-year quarterback Bo Nix.
McCaffrey was a little surprised when the Broncos did not use their first-round draft pick on a big receiver to pair with Courtland Sutton this spring, but he believes Engram can help fill a similar role.
“Having two elite wide receivers on either side of the quarterback really helps open things up,” McCaffrey said. “But Evan Engram will help do the same thing.”
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Engram is expected to report to Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit next week for the start of organized team activities.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Ed McCaffrey comments on Evan Engram’s role