Don't Let the Evan Engram TD Obscure This Key Limitation

What They're Saying

Luca Evans of the Denver Post: "[HC Sean] Payton confirmed that Engram wasn't Nix's primary read on that ... score. That's a key development for Denver. Engram's slow start hasn't come from a lack of play design. Nix and Payton have both said previously that the Broncos have scripted concepts for him. The problem has been that Engram hasn't lingered often on the field on plays where he's not a first target, and Nix has rarely looked his way as an escape valve."

Payton, on some verbal sideline sparring with Engram: "I got pissed at him and he was pissed at me. I just got after him a little because I knew he hadn’t gotten the touches and then it was like, ‘All right, let’s find these throws real quick.’ He responded, and it was a good thing. He’s a great weapon. He made some big plays."

Engram: "Don't think I like it any other way. I like to be coached hard. And Sean will definitely let you know when he's upset. He'll let you know even when he's excited or happy, too. So it was just good to start getting involved and just help the offense."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

"Start getting involved" doesn't seem totally honest there. Engram got three of his six targets for the game in the first half. But he managed only 1 catch for a loss of 3 yards before late in the third quarter.

The TE then tacked on a 7-yard catch, an 18-yarder to open the fourth-quarter TD drive, and then that score to finish it.

But Engram also saw his second-lowest route rate among four appearances this season:

• Week 1: 41.9%
• Week 2: 58.1%
• Week 4: 60.0%
• Week 5: 53.5%

Frankly, it seems more concerning to know that Denver has tried to script plays for Engram yet hasn't been able to get him to more than 33 yards in any game.

The target shares have been better the past two weeks. Engram drew 16% of Nix's total pass attempts over that span vs. just 8.6% through the season's first two games. But the TD play itself accounts for 29.5% of his total PPR points for the year.

The uptick in targets should signal more usability for Engram going forward. But running a route on less than 60% of the team's dropbacks puts Engram in a low-floor, modest-ceiling range for fantasy -- especially given his knack for short routes.

Engram needs high target volume to actually get attractive in fantasy, and he doesn't appear close to that.

Engram remains a TE2-level option for games against the Jets, Giants, and Cowboys the next three weeks. Those three matchups, at least, add some upside.