Evan Engram Fantasy Overview

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Engram caught 50 passes on 76 targets for 461 yards and 1 TD across 16 games last year. He finished:

• TE34 in PPR points per game
• TE26 in expected points per game
• TE32 in total points

He had just two top-12 weekly finishes and finished outside the top 20 nine times.

Usage & Role

Engram’s 76 targets ranked 15th among TEs, and his 50 receptions ranked 18th.

He ran 363 routes, 19th among TEs, and his 93.1% route rate ranked second, but it didn’t translate to a high target share.

His 12.6% target share ranked 24th among TEs with 50+ targets. That was a severe drop-off from his time with the Jaguars:

• 2022: 16.3% (12th)
• 2023: 22.6% (Second)
• 2024: 23.5% (Third)

The move to Denver, plus Engram's age (31), likely helped drive that major drop in target share.

Engram moved around the formation. He lined up inline on 42.6% of his snaps, in the slot on 43.3%, and out wide 12.3% of the time.

Efficiency & Regression

Engram’s usage looked better than his efficiency. Among 38 TEs with 40+ targets, he ranked:

• 36th in PFF receiving grade
• 27th in yards per route run
• 38th in average target depth

His 4.2-yard average depth of target ranked last in that group, so he saw use mostly near the line of scrimmage. That helped him catch 70.4% of his targets but capped the yardage. Engram averaged just 9.2 yards per catch and 1.27 yards per route.

He also fell short in after catch ability. Engram ranked first among TEs in expected yards after catch per reception, but seventh in actual YAC per reception. Despite some open space in schemed opportunities, Engram still could not meet his expected YAC per reception.

Offensive Context

Denver’s offense creates room for a little bit of optimism.

The Broncos ranked third in plays per game, ninth in pass rate, and 10th in pass rate over expected last year. Bo Nix led the league with 612 pass attempts.

But TE volume was not a major part of the offense. Denver ranked just 24th in TE target share. The Broncos targeted WRs at the 12th-highest rate and RBs at the fourth-highest rate. That likely sinks Engram’s potential to drastically improve from 2025.

Projected Role & Competition

Engram should stick as the Bronco’s lead TE…at least to start the season.

The Broncos return Adam Trautman as competition for Engram at TE. They also added rookie Justin Joly in the fifth round. Either could pass Engram if they showcase more ability.

He also faces significant target competition with the addition of Jaylen Waddle. Waddle arrives after a 100-target, 910-yard season. Plus, Courtland Sutton drew 125 targets and topped 1,000 yards last year.

More options joining an offense that already failed to propel Engram’s fantasy scoring certainly doesn’t seem like good news for the aging vet.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Sean Payton has consistently built fantasy-friendly offenses throughout his coaching career, including in Denver.

Payton has gradually shifted the Broncos toward a faster, more pass-leaning offense over the last three seasons:

Even with Dobbins healthy through the first 10 weeks, Denver still leaned pass-heavy:

• 57.2% pass rate
• 57.6% neutral pass rate
• +4.0% PROE

Payton’s history suggests Denver could continue trending further toward the pass and a faster pace in 2026.

Paths To Ceiling

Engram has a pretty low ceiling heading into 2026. He ranked just 34th among TEs in PPR points per game last year despite the Broncos’ top-10 pass rate and his 76 targets.

Now, the addition of Jaylen Waddle knocks Engram down a spot in terms of receiving options on the team.

Risk Factors

Engram carries real risk of losing his role and becoming waiver wire fodder in fantasy.

Engram's 2025 efficiency was poor. He ranked 36th among 38 qualifying TEs in PFF receiving grade and 27th in yards per route run, and now heads into his age-32 season.

Denver also has Trautman and Joly at the position. Trautman’s playing time has settled short of 60% the past two years after he hit 70% in his first Broncos season, so he’ll almost certainly remain a blocking-heavy play. Joly brings some receiving upside, though, including beating WR KC Concepcion by 201 yards when they played together at N.C. State in 2024. (Concepcion, of course, went to the Browns in Round 1 of this year’s draft.)

Even if Engram does stick as the starter, Denver’s target competition has gotten stiffer. There’s nothing to like here.