Tight end Evan Engram is entering his ninth NFL season and will turn 31 right before the regular season starts. He was let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a salary cap casualty, leaving $7.5 million in dead money, and is looking for his third NFL team.
What Makes Evan Engram an Appealing Free Agent?
The New York Giants selected Engram with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He had an impressive rookie campaign, putting up 64 receptions, 722 yards, and six touchdowns, but couldn’t establish himself as a consistent producer in his following four years in New York.
He signed a one-year, $9 million contract in 2022 and rejuvenated his career with the Jaguars, setting career highs in receptions (73) and yards (766) in his first year with the team. He signed a new three-year, $41.25 million contract and smashed those numbers in 2023, totaling 114 catches and 963 yards en route to a Pro Bowl selection.
Engram is closer to a big receiver than a true in-line tight end and is ranked No. 46 in PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agent Rankings. He’s coming off of an injury-shortened season that saw him post a career-best 25.6% on-field target share when healthy. He settled into a featured role in the short passing game during his three seasons in Jacksonville, Fla. (5.6 air yards per target), and that has value with offenses trending toward more conservative passing attacks.
That said, a lack of involvement in scoring situations might curb some enthusiasm around him entering his age-31 season. Since 2022, 32 tight ends have earned at least 125 targets — Engram ranks 32nd in target rate per red-zone route.
4 Potential Landing Spots for Engram
The free agent tight end landscape is light this offseason, with Engram being the only one listed in PFSN’s Top 121 Rankings. Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are considered the top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, with each expected to be taken in the top 15 picks in PFSN’s latest mock draft, but Engram should have a robust market once the new league year begins.
So where will he end up?
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts hung around the AFC Wild Card Race until a brutal Week 17 loss to the Giants. 2024 was a wild year offensively for Indianapolis, which finished No. 21 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. They were about as much of a hit-and-miss offense as there is in the NFL from quarter to quarter, never mind game to game.
Jonathan Taylor looked like his 2021 self for much of the season, though critical gaffes in losses to the Denver Broncos and Giants will be what many take away from his season. The mileage is piling up on Taylor, who needs more help from the passing game. This unit finished 21st in EPA per play but has the raw talent to develop.
Engram could be a perfect fit to stabilize Anthony Richardson’s passing game, and the Colts don’t have a proven commodity in their tight end room.
MORE: Top 121 Free Agent Rankings for 2025
Denver Broncos
While Denver is predicted to add Loveland in PFSN’s latest mock draft, a proven tight end could fill Sean Payton’s “Joker” role. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix led the Broncos to the No. 16 ranking in PFSN’s Offense+ metric and looks like the real deal after his first season.
Adam Trautman led the room with just 13 receptions and 188 yards last season, so tight end wasn’t a focal point of the offense. Engram’s versatility and play style make him an intriguing piece Denver could add, and he’s reportedly already visited with the team.
Former Jaguars free-agent TE Evan Engram is visiting today with the Denver Broncos, per sources. pic.twitter.com/iC5nXg126r
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Former Jaguars free agent TE Evan Engram is visiting today with the Denver Broncos, per sources.” The eight-year vet would be a solid addition to Denver’s offense, and they’ve already shown interest before the new league year begins.
New York Giants
Could Engram return to New York? The Giants’ offense was a mess last season, coming in at No. 31 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric and not having any answer at quarterback. The Giants finished 29th in success rate in both the passing and rushing games. They never had anything to build around after Saquon Barkley’s departure. This was also an impotent red-zone offense, ranking last in touchdown rate (43%) by a wide margin.
New York has many problems looking ahead to 2025, as the quarterback room will undergo an overhaul. PFSN predicts the team will trade up to No. 1 and select Miami’s Cam Ward in its latest mock draft. Brian Daboll likely stands on the thinnest ice of any coach entering next season, but Engram could provide some stability.
Theo Johnson led the tight end room with 29 receptions and 331 yards last season, but the group was an afterthought, with rookie receiver Malik Nabers breaking out in 2024. Engram would bring a veteran voice to a young offensive skill group that needs to improve next season, and a different management group could secure a New York reunion.
New York Jets
If he doesn’t go to the Giants, what about to another New York franchise? The New York Jets reset the organization after a miserable 5-12 campaign in 2024. New GM Darren Mougey has already started rebuilding his offense by releasing Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, and PFSN predicts he’ll rework the tight end room as well.
The Jets are predicted to take Warren with the seventh-overall pick in the 2025 draft in PFSN’s latest mock draft, and pairing a rookie with Engram would be logical. New York ranked No. 19 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season, with the passing game finishing 20th in EPA per dropback and 21st in success rate. The Jets still need to figure out who will be throwing the ball in 2025, but adding Engram could kickstart a mediocre unit.
Engram can officially sign with a new team once the new league year starts. His three years in Jacksonville proved he can be a productive offensive weapon, and he should set the market as the best tight end available.