Monday night, Bo Nix saw a ghost.
Nevermind, that was just Evan Engram.
The tight end was the most celebrated free agent signing this offseason, guaranteed $16.5 million. He was going to make the position a weapon in the Broncos’ passing game for the first time since the salad days of Julius Thomas. He was going to open the middle of the field for Nix, providing easy completions.
He was going to play the role of “The Joker,” creating mismatches in space against linebackers and safeties. That was the plan.
A month into the season, he has stats befitting The Penguin.
The talk in training camp, my voice among them, was that he would be the Broncos’ second-best weapon behind Courtland Sutton. The reality has clobbered fantasy league owners over the head. Through three games, Engram has been injured (calf and back) and ineffective, catching eight passes for 62 yards. That leaves him on pace for 34 catches for 264 yards.
What gives? Was the hype misplaced? Will Payton look to get him into a rhythm early against the Eagles since he has only caught one pass in the first quarter this season?
“I think a lot of it is the script. There are times where you definitely look to involve him. But we don’t come off a game like last week and then look at who got touches. We’re not playing the fantasy game. We’re trying to win,” Payton said Thursday.
“And sometimes, I can recall over the years big wins against tough teams and maybe a player like (Jimmy) Graham or (Michael) Thomas didn’t (get many touches). It is not intentional. These guys are going to cloud Courtland and put their best corner on him at times, so some of that is how that game unfolds.”
If his answer makes you nervous, you are not alone. Payton sounds like he is talking about a role player. And frankly, that is how Engram has been used, playing 40% of the snaps. That represents his lowest participation ever by a wide margin. His previous low was 67% in 2018.
The Broncos cannot upset the defending champion Eagles without Engram making an impact. Maybe it happens throughout the game, however unlikely. Perhaps it happens on a touchdown drive. Or on a single play to set up a teeth-clenched field goal.
Under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Eagles play a fair amount of zone, creating room for tight ends to work. They have caught 14 passes for 97 yards in four games. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce had receptions of 23, 18 and 16 yards in Week 2.
Want the Broncos to deliver a signature win for Payton as the Denver coach? Engram needs numbers like that.
For now, Engram appears to be a victim of the current priorities of the system. Payton is not exactly sure where he fits.
Engram is really a slot receiver camouflaged as a tight end. He works best when he flexes out. As it stands, the Broncos are hellbent on establishing the run — not a bad thing — and Adam Trautman is considered a better blocker than Engram. Trautman has logged 53 percent of the snaps, a number that could increase Sunday with Nate Adkins working his way through concussion protocol.
Engram has done plenty off the field, earning respect with his work ethic, putting the team first. This should be applauded. But more is needed. The Broncos’ offense is not reaching its potential if Engram is a platoon player.
Here is the problem. In limited snaps, the Broncos have been intentional in how they have employed him. He has been targeted 13 times, including seven against the Bengals.
On almost every occasion, he was the primary read. That should be a good thing. But, it is not.
Engram is not playing enough on run plays, which is a great disguise for any tight end. His presence has become a tell, not unlike the final season in Denver for Phillip Lindsay.
Engram must gain the coaches’ trust as a blocker. He logged eight run-blocking snaps on Monday, compared to 29 for Trautman, according to Pro Football Focus.
Engram remains patient. He is a great teammate and seems way more understanding of his role than the rest of us.
“It was just great to be out there. My body was feeling really well. Got into a flow of the game. And, yeah, just something to really build off of. I just want to continue to be a good target for Bo,” Engram said after the last game. “Whatever I’m asked to do in the run game, I just want to help the team win. I think tonightap a good night to build off of.”
Is Engram playing enough? No. Anyone can see his limited duty will hold him back in the passing attack. This is not all the fault of Payton. Or his script.
There is also a chemistry issue. And Engram has to create that, even if it felt cooked into his contract when he signed.
Watching his snaps, it is clear he is not a safety net for Nix. Until that changes, he is operating on a narrow road, only delivering receptions on plays called for him.
But he is not panicking or grousing. He is smiling.
“The ‘Joker’ thing is – I’m just a football player at the end of the day. And, the coaches have a plan for me. I think they’re just doing a good job of calling my plays,” Engram said. “And the time will come that they’re going to hit.”
That should ease the concerns of apountry. But it won’t until he has a few chunk plays. They were told to buy into one thing. And right now, the joke is on them.
