Evan Engram
TE, Mississippi · 2017 NFL Draft, Round 1, pick #23 (NYG)
Why he was overlooked Patterns
Nothing in our pre-draft data flagged him as a steal: his age, school, testing and position profile looked like a typical pick in his range. The gap opened after the draft, on the field.
- Pre-draft rankings
ESPN's pre-draft board ranked him #21 (#3 at his position), close to where he went (#23).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.6% of the time (2,104 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Age
23 years old at the draft (nflverse).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.4% of the time (2,127 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- School
Mississippi: a Power-conference school (our conference list).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 50.3% of the time (4,181 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Athletic testing
Ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at 234 lbs: faster than 99% of TEs timed at the Combine since 2000.
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 51.6% of the time (973 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Position
TE (TE group).
Since 2000, picks in this group beat their draft slot 37.1% of the time (321 players, 2000–2021 classes) vs. 50% for a typical pick.
- Availability
Played 123 of ~149 possible regular-season games from 2017 through 2025 (~83%). Plus 7 games so far in 2026.
Every line comes from data: nflverse draft, combine and career data; ESPN's pre-draft ranks. No scouting reports or quotes. Green = pointed toward a steal for him.
Career numberslive
| Games | 130 |
| Seasons as primary starter | 8 |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| First-team All-Pro | 0 |
| Career wAV (Pro Football Reference) | 37 |
| 2026 in-season credit (est.) | 1.7 |
| Redraft value (wAV + 2026) | 38.7 |
| Rushing | 17 att, 100 yds, 1 TD |
| Receiving | 558 rec, 5,517 yds, 27 TD |
| Defense | 2 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INT |
| Last NFL season | 2026 |
Career wAV via nflverse draft_picks + 2026 in-season credit from snap counts through Week 7.
The 2017 class: draft pick vs. redraft rank Full redraft
Each dot is a 2017 pick. Dashed line = typical redraft rank for each slot (2000–2021 classes). Above the line = beat his slot.
How players like him did
| Pre-draft rankings Within a round of ESPN's rank | 50.6% n=2,104 | |
| Age 23 | 50.4% n=2,127 | |
| School Power-conference school | 50.3% n=4,181 | |
| Athletic testing Top 25% at his position | 51.6% n=973 | |
| Position TE | 37.1% n=321 |
Share of 2000–2021 picks with the same trait who beat their draft slot. Line = 50%.
Measurables & pre-draft
| Height / weight | 6' 3", 234 lbs |
| 40-yard dash | 4.42 s |
| Bench press | 19 reps |
| Vertical | 36" |
| Broad jump | 125" |
| 3-cone | 6.92 s |
| Shuttle | 4.23 s |
| Age at draft | 23 |
| ESPN pre-draft rank | #21 overall (#3 TE) |
Picked around him 2017 redraft
| 20 | Garett Bolles | redraft #15 |
| 21 | Jarrad Davis | redraft #81 |
| 22 | Charles Harris | redraft #107 |
| 24 | Gareon Conley | redraft #131 |
| 25 | Jabrill Peppers | redraft #54 |
| 26 | Takkarist McKinley | redraft #104 |
How verdicts and reasons are computed: methodology. Steal / bust = 32+ spots better / worse than the typical redraft rank for the slot.