Evan Engram didn’t live up to the preseason expectations in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 20-17 defeat to the Miami Dolphins and was one of the biggest disappointments in Week 1. Given he was touted to see an increase in targets in 2024 and was already a high-volume tight end, his lone catch for 5 yards was a big disappointment.
This feels very unlikely to reoccur in Week 2, as the Jaguars will look to bounce back against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns also had a poor opening match, looking weak in the passing game as they lost 33-17 to the Dallas Cowboys.
Both teams will be eyeing this game with optimism and Evan Engram should see a significant increase in his targets. Trevor Lawrence should look to get the ball out early against one of the NFL’s best defenses, which means Engram will be an important part of the game plan.
Other Week 2 bounce-back candidates: Drake London, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Javonte Williams.
What numbers to expect from Evan Engram in Week 2?
Evan Engram had a career year for yards in 2023, recording 114 receptions for 963 yards and 4 TDs. The consensus was that he should break 1,000 yards in 2024 as the Jaguars let Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones go in the offseason, and building chemistry with their replacements could take time.
This is still a very real possibility, but Engram will need to see a lot more targets than four per game. Expect to see a significant increase in Week 2, and it would be a surprise if the tight end didn’t surpass his 7.35 projections (HPPR leagues).
The main issue with Engram in fantasy football is he doesn’t get in the end zone as often as he arguably should. However, a tough defensive team like the Browns is a prime candidate for a good tight-end performance, as you can see Jacksonville looking to him often, especially on third downs, in what could be a low-scoring game.
Projection: Points ranging between 7-15, most likely 9.
Also read: Gus Edwards or J.K. Dobbins? Week 2 fantasy outlooks for Chargers RBs explored