Giants surprise many by selecting TE Evan Engram in 2017 NFL Draft

Coming into the 2017 NFL Draft, the New York Giants were expected to make several moves to improve their offensive line. By the time the Giants were on the clock with the 23rd pick, many of the top offensive players were off the board. Alabama tight end O.J. Howard went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 19th overall, the Broncos took Utah's Garrett Bolles, who was considered the Giants' primary target. 

New York selected Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram with the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft. The 6-3, 234-pound Engram has been listed as a tight end, but his strong showing at the NFL Combine has opened up the possibility of him becoming a slot receiver in the league. He ran an impressive 4.42-second 40-yard dash, which would have tied for fifth among wide receivers. 

Engram (pictured) will immdeiately join a star-studded Giants offense

The 22-year old was a four-year starter at Ole Miss, and has drawn comparisons to Redskins tight end Jordan Reed. In his collegiate career, he netted 2,320 receiving yards with 15 touchdown receptions. Last year, in particular, he had 65 catches for 926 yards and eight touchdowns. 

The Giants are very excited about Engram's (pictured) NFL potential

According to Dan Duggan of NJ.com, Engram figures to be used solely as a mismatch in passing situations for now because he is not a developed blocker. With an already-strong wide receiver corps, which includes Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Brandon Marshall, and tight end Rhett Ellison, it will be interesting to see how the G-Men utilize Engram's ability. It is also important to not forget about Will Tye, Jerell Adams, and Matt LaCosse, who are regarded as more traditional tight ends. 

"We think that this guy can be a dynamic weapon in our offense. Obviously he has great speed for the position -- we think that he can be a matchup nightmare for teams trying to cover him with linebackers and safeties, so he was a guy that he liked a lot," said GM Jerry Reese. 

According to head coach Ben McAdoo, Engram will likely play with the special teams unit out of the gate and be eased into an offensive role. 

On Friday, New York will make their second and third round picks, which currently stand at 55th and 87th overall, respectively. 

The Giants should look to stock up their offensive line weapons with the remaining draft picks. If New York does just that, one has to imagine that the Engram selection would look significantly better.