Fantasy Football Draft Season Has Arrived
The time for fantasy football drafting is officially upon us. With NFL training camps now open, position battles are heating up, and the countdown to the season kickoff—just about a month away—has begun. Committee members are busily trying to nail down dates for their drafts. As analysts, it’s our role to guide you in selecting the right players.
One often-overlooked factor in player selection is understanding coaching schemes. When a coaching system aligns well with a player’s strengths—and you happen to be aware of this—there’s a good chance you can discover some fantastic overlooked talent.
Take tight end Evan Engram as a case in point. If you’re aware that head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi utilize a concept known as “The Joker” in their playbook, you might anticipate Engram will be featured prominently in that role.
The “Joker” in the Broncos’ offensive scheme is essentially a tight end or running back that can also fill in as a wide receiver. This player typically runs crisp routes, has reliable hands, and can line up both outside and in the slot.
Lombardi and Payton are familiar with this dynamic from their days in New Orleans with Jimmy Graham, who, during four consecutive seasons there, averaged 138 targets, 89 receptions, 1,099 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. This is precisely what Denver hopes to harness with Engram.
Engram’s career has certainly had its share of ups and downs. He has worked under four different head coaches during his five years with the Giants, adapted to four distinct playbooks, and faced injury struggles in two seasons. Unfortunately, he was never a key cog in passing offenses and dealt with inconsistencies in catching the ball.
He signed as a free agent with the Jaguars but faced further challenges under Urban Meyer. However, once he found his footing with new coach Doug Pederson, Engram finally realized his potential, culminating in a career-high 100 catches in 2023.
Looking at the Broncos’ receiving corps, aside from Courtland Sutton, they don’t have a wealth of talent. Marvin Mims is still in the learning phase, and the rest of the receivers are fairly inexperienced. The running backs will indeed be involved in Lombardi’s passing game, but Engram should excel as the “Joker” and could be on his way to a breakout 1,000-yard season.
Currently, Engram is being picked as the TE8 in most drafts, often around the eighth round in 12-team leagues. Instead of going after one of the top five tight ends too early, it may be more strategic for you to wait and grab Engram, freeing up your early picks for standout running backs or wide receivers. This could also allow you to consider acquiring one of the top five quarterbacks, setting your roster up for a potential championship run.
