New York Giants expecting 'outstanding year' from tight end Evan Engram

The New York Giants enter the 2019 campaign with skeptics around the NFL and that extends to the handicapping world, where the Giants are 200-1 long-shots to win the upcoming Super Bowl. There is optimism in some circles, however, with Saquon Barkley returning as one of the most dynamic players in the league and first round pick Daniel Jones flashing signs of life during his first professional action in the preseason. While Barkley certainly exists as the focal point of the offense, there is also overflowing positivity stemming from the tight end position and potential standout Evan Engram. 

"We expect that he is going to have an outstanding year for us," Giants head coach Pat Shurmur told ESPN of Engram. "I think we've seen, when he has been healthy and out there, what he can do. The challenge for any player is to stay healthy and stay out there. I think that's first and foremost for all players and then when he is out there, we have to use him in a way that can really accentuate and really take advantage of his skills."  

Within the same interview, Engram noted that the "tight end is the No. 1 option on a lot of plays" for the Giants and, given the nature of the team's depth chart, it stands to reason that the 25-year-old could receive a lot of attention from Jones and Eli Manning int he passing game. Engram, a first-round pick in 2017, produced 577 yards and three touchdowns in only 11 games last season, and he is clearly the most high-profile pure pass-catcher on the roster. 

New York does have some competent options at receiver, headlined by Sterling Shepard and Golden State (after he returns from a four-game suspension), but Engram brings more upside than any offensive player aside from Barkley. Keeping him on the field for 16 games will be a significant priority for the Giants but, if that happens and he can continue to build a rapport with whoever is playing quarterback, big things could be in store and the organization seems to be expecting a considerable step forward.