Patriots Rumors: Does Evan Engram trade make sense for New England?

Would trading for Giants tight end Evan Engram before the deadline make sense for the Patriots?

It’s been regurgitated countless times over the last few months, but the Patriots desperately need to get Cam Newton some help at both the wide receiver and tight end positions, which are struggling mightily to produce week in and week out.

Well, with the trade deadline fast approaching and numerous teams around the league in free-fall mode, it’s extremely possible that a plethora of appealing targets at both positions become available over the next two weeks.

In order for the Patriots to strike a deal for a TE, they might have to look out of the AFC and to a longtime playoff rival. That’s right, folks. We’re talking about the New York Giants and polarizing tight end Evan Engram, who’s had his fair share of ups and downs since he was drafted in the first round (No. 23 overall) back in 2017.

It goes without saying that Engram has a world of talent, but would he be worth the price of admission given his struggles with consistency?

Considering the Patriots’ reputation of fixing players whose concentration tends to fluctuate and have failed to live up their potential, we believe that Engram would be worth the risk of a third- or fourth-round draft pick.

In the simplest of terms, Engram is a physical freak who would add an entirely new (and needed) element of dynamism to the Patriots’ largely one-dimensional offense, which is currently finding it impossible to take the top off of opposing defenses. Though he obviously wouldn’t fix all of their problems, the 26-year-old’s career 11.2 yards per reception would be a welcomed addition.

Engram has struggled to stay healthy since entering the NFL, missing 23 games over the last three seasons, but it’s worth noting that he’s appeared in every game this year. However, now that he’s finally regularly available, the Giants are inexplicably failing to utilize him.

In six games (five starts), the Ole Miss product has reeled in just 20 catches for 177 yards. For added context, he’s yet to eclipse the 65-yard threshold this season and has managed fewer than 36 yards in five games.

Considering the Patriots’ current options at tight end — Ryan Izzo is currently the only viable option and 2020 third-round picks Dalton Keene and Devin Asiasi continue to remain on the periphery of Belichick’s plans this year (the two rookies had high expectations coming into the season, but have yet to muster a target between them) — this would be a big help.

Engram certainly comes with baggage, but his career could take off in New England if the Patriots were willing to send a middle-round draft pick to the Giants. Look at it this way: His trade value is probably at rock bottom right now.

These two organizations clearly have a lot of history, but they can help each other out with a trade involving the fourth-year tight end.

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