DENVER — Evan Engram might not put up the eye-popping numbers on a per-catch basis that he did when he burst into the NFL as a first-round pick of the New York Giants back in 2017.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t catch the attention of his new Denver Broncos teammates as they get a glimpse of him moving around the practice fields during offseason work.
“Everyone’s excited watching him run around,” inside linebacker Alex Singleton said. “The last two weeks has been really good, so I’m excited to have him here.”
And specifically, to have Engram on his side.
Singleton has a better idea than most what the Broncos’ new No. 1 brings to the club.
But numbers tell the story. Engram alone has more receptions and more receiving yards over the last two seasons than the entire Denver tight end corps combined — and that came despite missing eight games last season.
“He’s a freak,” Singleton said.
“That’s exactly what you want. I think he’s a really good player. I think he’s a great addition to our team.
“I think he just gives us another weapon on offense. I’m excited.”
A weapon that, if used properly, can unlock what Sean Payton wants as a “joker,” something that he has lacked in his scheme.
It’s not for a lack of trying as he tried to find internal solutions, going all the way back to a pair of tight ends he inherited two years ago, Greg Dulcich and Albert Okwuegbunam.
The latter didn’t even make it out of the first preseason. The former didn’t get through the first half of Week 1 that year before injuring his hamstring again. And then nothing stuck.
Until now, the Broncos hope, with a “freak” they hope can unlock the potential of Payton’s scheme.
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