Who Should I Start? Evan Engram or Ian Thomas

Saturday, September 13, 10:42 AM

Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram (calf) is expected to suit up for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts after leaving the opener with a calf contusion. Engram's usage before the injury was concerning, as he played just 44% of the snaps overall and was on the field for only 56% of Denver's passing plays. Adam Trautman, the more experienced blocker, was featured more heavily in Sean Payton's game plan. The much-hyped "Joker role" for Engram in Payton's offense appears overstated based on Week 1 usage. While the Colts were vulnerable to tight ends in 2024, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the position, Engram's limited playing time keeps him off the fantasy radar for now.

Tuesday, March 25, 1:32 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Ian Thomas (calf) to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Thomas will head to the AFC West after spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers after they selected him in the fourth round (101st overall) in the 2018 NFL draft out of Indiana. The 28-year-old never really established himself as a fantasy asset in Carolina, with his best season coming in his rookie campaign with a 36-333-2 line on 49 targets in 16 games (six starts). Thomas landed on Injured Reserve in 2024 with a calf injury and only caught three of six targets for seven yards in five games (two starts). He scored four touchdowns in his first three seasons but hasn't found the end zone since. In Vegas, he'll provide TE depth behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and will remain off the fantasy radar.