Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence: Evan Engram provides great matchups against defenses

Last month, new Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson explained how the franchise was somewhat "hitting the reset button" regarding 2021 rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence following all that occurred during the short-lived Urban Meyer era that didn't last one full year before Meyer was shown the door. 

Like Lawrence, tight end and 2017 first-round draft pick Evan Engram could also use a fresh start ahead of training camp and the preseason. Engram spent his first five pro seasons with the New York Giants and earned a Pro Bowl nod (2020) but also became known for dropping passes in key moments. As John Shipley of FanNation's Jaguar Report noted in March, the 27-year-old unofficially has 29 career drops on his résumé.

Shortly after Engram joined the Jaguars on a one-year deal early in free agency, Pederson said the target could ultimately become Lawrence's "best friend" on the field. Lawrence spoke with reporters on Monday and suggested that could, in fact, be the case later this fall. 

"He runs like a receiver," Lawrence said of Engram, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "Just having that matchup is going to be great for us. Safety, linebacker . . . whoever’s going to have to cover him, it’s going to be tough." 

Engram finished last season with 46 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns. He'll hope to improve upon those figures playing alongside Lawrence in what is yet another contract year for the veteran.