Who Should I Start? Evan Engram or T.J. Hockenson

Friday, July 5, 6:15 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram set the single-season franchise record in 2023 with 114 catches for 963 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games to earn his second trip to the Pro Bowl. After two very successful year in Jacksonville, Engram is now looking to be a bigger downfield threat than ever before, which would include more big plays and touchdowns, perhaps putting him in the elite tight end category that includes Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Sam LaPorta. Engram's 241 targets and 187 catches over the last two years are the most of any player on the roster and the most of any TE in the NFL. His 187 catches over that span are second among TEs only to Kelce's 203. Engram was the most-targeted TE last year, and only David Njoku had more yards after the catch than his 516. But his 8.4 yards per catch ranked 26th at the position. Draft Engram as a solid midrange TE1 and hope he can deliver on his goals in his third year with the Jags.

Monday, July 22, 2:07 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. It's not a surprise, although O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" with his rehab from ACL surgery in late January. The 27-year-old tight end tore his ACL at the end of last season and is doubtful to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign despite being ahead of scheduled this offseason. In addition to coming off a major injury, Hockenson will be more of a fantasy question mark now that he's going from quarterback Kirk Cousins to a potential mixture of Sam Darnold and rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy this season. Even when Hockenson does return to the field in the regular season, he's likely to be eased in, so he should be considered more of a high-end TE2 stash in fantasy football drafts this fall.