The Broncos are making moves to strengthen their offense by acquiring Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram. The trade, which involves Day 3 draft picks, comes as Engram faces financial and injury concerns.
Engram, who had been a productive player for the Jaguars during the Doug Pederson era, now has a hefty $19.5 million cap hit and a history of injuries. This has led to speculation that he may be cut or traded during the offseason. Despite these concerns, Engram still holds value as a pass-catcher, especially considering his impressive performance of 114 receptions from quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the 2023 season.
The proposed trade package, put forward by the Bleacher Report Scouting Department, suggests that Engram be sent to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a swap of Day 3 draft picks. The specific trade package includes a 2025 fourth-round pick (No. 121 overall) for Engram and a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 223 overall). This deal would address the Broncos’ need for a pass-catching tight end, as they have struggled in this area since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2023.
Denver’s current tight end, Adam Trautman, has not provided the offensive threat that the team requires. While Trautman excels in other areas, his receiving abilities fall short, with fewer receptions over his five-year NFL career than Engram had during his breakout 2023 season alone. Acquiring Engram would give quarterback Bo Nix a true passing game threat at the tight end position.
On the Jaguars’ side, trading Engram makes sense given their depth at the position. Jacksonville drafted Brenton Strange in the second round of the 2023 draft, and he has shown promise as a receiving tight end, especially during Engram’s absence due to injury. With an abundance of draft capital, including three picks within the top 70, the Jaguars can use the trade to improve their roster and address other pressing needs.
While some trade predictions may seem far-fetched, the potential move of Engram to the Broncos appears to be a mutually beneficial decision. The Jaguars could even be willing to contribute to Engram’s salary to facilitate the trade. Ultimately, this trade would provide the Broncos with a much-needed offensive weapon at tight end, while the Jaguars would gain valuable draft capital to continue reshaping their roster.
In conclusion, the Broncos’ pursuit of Evan Engram demonstrates their commitment to strengthening their offense. With the proposed trade involving Day 3 draft picks, both teams stand to benefit from the deal. As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see if this trade comes to fruition and how Engram’s addition will impact the Broncos’ offensive capabilities.
