Film Study: How Evan Engram is improving his run blocking

Evan Engram has been focusing on improving his run blocking in the off-season and preseason. Here's a look at one example he'd have to improve.

Evan Engram doesn’t mind if you compare him to Mark Bavaro or Jeremy Shockey, two standout former tight ends who wore the Giants uniform.

“I love those guys, and I love being compared to those guys,” Engram said Monday. “I’ve seen film and I’ve watched all the greats, and I have definitely learned a lot.”

But before anyone can start comparing Engram to Shockey and Bavaro, two solid blocking tight ends in the running game, Engram knows he has to improve in that area.  

According to Pro Football Focus, Engram has been asked to execute 352 run blocks in his career and just 37 pass blocks, understandable numbers since Engram’s talents are wasted if on a passing play he’s asked to stay home and attempt to block a defensive end when he could instead be running a route.

But run blocking is quite a different story and it’s very much a part of his game that Engram has been wanting to improve.

Engram was graded a 48.7 in run blocking during his rookie year. He increased that final grade to 60.6 last season and the arrow certainly appears to be pointing in the right direction, but of all his grades, the run blocking is still the Achilles heel in his overall game.

Engram has yet to play in the preseason this summer, so there is no film to compare his blocking from last year to this year to see how he’s improved.

But in terms of the little details a tight end needs to take care of when executing a block, there’s a matter of getting to the point of attack first, anchoring and then putting yourself into a position to get the leverage necessary to push a defender off the spot, something Engram didn’t always do last year.

Another thing Engram was inconsistent with is his second-level blocks, this mainly due to the angles he’s taken.

Here’s an example of a play from last year in which Engram whiffed on a second-level block that Saquon Barkley somehow managed to turn into a 2-yard gain.  

Here is the play before the snap, with Engram highlighted.

NFL Game Pass

In this next shot, the ball has been snapped and the offensive line has begun to move to get into their block. Engram, however, is still in his stance, though it’s unclear initially if he is delaying what he’s going to do in order to fire out into a route.

NFL Game Pass

In this next shot, Engram starts running across the formation, with it becoming evident that he’s Barkley’s lead blocker. Barkley, however, sees Engram missed the block and cuts back to the other side.

NFL Game Pass

Engram, who has overrun the play, is now left to reach back in desperation to stop the defender. But it’s to no avail as the defender has a clear path to stop Barkley for a two-yard gain.

NFL Game Pass

Head coach Pat Shurmur said that Engram has gotten better as he's gained more of a comfort level int he offense. 

"I think he improved his game in all areas," Shurmur said. "That just comes with learning a new system and obviously getting comfortable with what we’re doing."

Inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, who goes against Engram in practice, has also noticed a difference.

"I haven’t really dived into it yet, but some of the runs they get, I do see him actually trying really hard to get in there and he’s doing his job and that’s what you want out of your tight end and out of anybody, for them to do their job when they’re called upon," he said. 

While Engram probably won’t be asked to do much blocking at the first level in pass pro, he certainly has value as a second-level blocker in the run game, which is where his role is probably going to increase this year (as well as in the passing game).

To prepare for that, Engram has been hard at work picking the brains of Giants tight ends coach Lunda Wells and teammate Rhett Ellison, the Giants best run-blocking tight end on the roster. And Engram said he can see a difference in his blocking.

“It’s crazy how much better I have gotten at the blocking game,” Engram said.

“I was talking with one of my family members about how my blocking game has evolved playing with Rhett. Watching him each and every day, and working alongside him, it’s added a lot to my plate in the blocking game.”

Engram, who hasn’t been shy about sticking his nose into the action when asked, said Ellison has taught him more about the small details necessary to get more bang for his buck.

“I’ve always had the heart to get in there and fight, but it’s been a lot of details,” he said. “I really feel like I’ve taken my game to another level in that aspect, just through the coaching and playing with the guys.”

The coming season is a pivotal one for Engram because the Giants will need to decide whether to exercise the option year on his rookie contract after this season. 

They would not only like to see Engram become a better blocker, but they are looking for him to step up in the passing game.

Engram is more than ready for the challenge.

“I come up here each and every day to be the best Evan Engram I can be. As long as I take care of my body, as long as I get in the playbook, as long as I watch film and put the work in on the field, when the opportunity comes to make those plays, I’ll be getting comparisons, people will be comparing people to me,” he said.

(Top photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK)