Who Should I Start? Evan Engram or Jonnu Smith

Wednesday, August 20, 3:11 PM

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi called tight end Evan Engram an "elite receiver." The Broncos have been searching for an elite pass-catching tight end for a while now, and Engram could be that guy in 2025 in his first year with the team. The 30-year-old former first-rounder by the New York Giants in 2017 out of Mississippi played in only nine games due to a shoulder injury last year, but he had a career-high 963 receiving yards on 114 receptions in a career year for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023. Engram has developed chemistry with second-year quarterback Bo Nix this summer and could be the young signal-caller's No. 2 target behind receiver Courtland Sutton. Not only should Engram see more usage in Denver thi year, but he could also be more of a red-zone target, which has been an issue for his fantasy upside since his rookie season.

Sunday, August 31, 3:42 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith is reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for a third time, a partnership that has historically produced fantasy-relevant results. Smith said of his OC: "We've had a lot of success together. He will continue to move that needle, bring the best out of you, and demand the best from you. It's why we get along so well." Last year with the Miami Dolphins, Smith posted the best season of his career, with 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. However, in his previous stint with Arthur Smith in Atlanta, he caught 50 passes for 582 yards and three touchdowns, which was his prior best. While the Steelers have other talented pass-catchers, including tight end Pat Freiermuth, Smith's offense has historically used multiple tight-end formations more than any other team. RotoBaller currently ranks the 30-year-old as a mid-range TE2 (ranked TE20) with potential for increased production due to his familiarity with the system. Smith's history with the offense and a strong preseason make him a solid late-round tight end target and a potential starter if needed.