New York Giants 2017 Roster Preview: Tight Ends
By Sean Dyer
Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison
The New York Giants made Evan Engram their first round pick this year in what was a bit of a surprising pick.
Many Giants fans had hoped Alabama’s O.J. Howard would fall to New York, but after Howard went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 19th overall, Big Blue took the Ole Miss product with the 23rd pick.
Engram had the fastest 40-yard dash time among tight ends at the NFL Scouting Combine and was faster than all but four wide receivers.
Listed at 6’3″ and just 236 lb., Engram is more of a glorified wide receiver than a true tight end. Regardless, Engram is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s too fast for linebackers in coverage and too big for defensive backs.
Engram may not fit the mold of an inline blocker, but the former Rebel will wreak havoc in the slot and be one of Eli Manning’s top red-zone targets.
Jerry Reese and the New York Giants didn’t go on a big shopping spree this offseason like they did in 2016, but one of the bigger contracts they handed out was to Rhett Ellison.
Ellison signed a four-year, $18 million contract with Big Blue after five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
While in Minnesota, Ellison didn’t do a whole lot of receiving. His career-highs in receptions and receiving yards are 19 and 208, respectively, and he has just three touchdowns in his career.
Where Ellison excels is blocking. He can line up at tight end, fullback, or H-back. The Giants hope that the addition of Ellison will improve their running game, which ranked 29th in the league last season.
With Evan Engram to catch passes and Rhett Ellison to open up running lanes, the New York Giants should be able to get more out of the tight end position in 2017 than in years past.