Leading into the start of training camp (rookies report July 22, veterans July 24,) The Post will provide Giants fans with a position-by-position look at the roster. Next up: The tight ends
One of these things is not like the other. Evan Engram is a former first-round draft pick and that lofty selection (in 2017) came as a result of his talent as a pass-catcher. Otherwise, this is a workmanlike group assembled by the Giants, mostly as blockers and complementary parts within the offense.
Key returnees: Evan Engram, Rhett Ellison, Scott Simonson
Key additions: C.J. Conrad
The rundown: General manager Dave Gettleman said he did not sign Odell Beckham Jr. to trade him, but he did anyway, and there is no way to replace the game-breaking threat Beckham brought to the field every time he stepped on it. In many ways, Engram must fill some of that void. He presents more of a matchup problem to opposing defenses than any of the wide receivers. When Beckham was injured and out the final four games, Engram stepped into the breach and excelled, with 22 receptions for 320 yards, allowing him to end a highly disappointing second NFL season on an upswing. Engram missed time with knee and hamstring issues and his 2018 totals — 45 receptions for 577 yards and three touchdowns — were a steep decline after the promise (64-722, six TDs) he showed as a rookie.
There might not be a more popular player on the team with coach Pat Shurmur than Rhett Ellison. Shurmur loves the guy, because Ellison is team-first all the way. Shurmur coached Ellison with the Vikings and trusts him to block the right man and run the right routes. Ellison is a gamer, quietly going about his business and can be counted on, as long as the expectations for him are reasonable.
Key camp battles: Scott Simonson made the team last year and the 27-year old journeyman (previous stops with the Raiders and Panthers) from Red Bank, N.J., will have his hands full staving off the challenge of C.J. Conrad. The coaching staff likes the way Simonson hangs in as a blocker. Conrad, an undrafted rookie from Kentucky, was impressive in the spring and will be given a long look, as he looks like a tough customer. An outlier here is Eric Dungey, a quarterback at Syracuse who intrigued the coaching staff and is trying out as a tight end, even though he’s never before played that position.
The verdict: This is the year of decision for Engram. He has shown great flashes but flashes are not enough. He must prove he can stay healthy and emerge as a weapon in the passing game. He has the size and especially the speed to be a difference-maker, but mental lapses lead to concentration glitches and dropped passes. His playing time decreased last season with this new coaching staff in place, but he is needed more than ever now. Engram is a stand-up individual who displayed uncommon maturity as a rookie. Now he must take the next step in his development.