Evan Engram Expanded Role With Broncos
The tight end has increased his snap participation and blocking duties through the first two weeks of the 2026 season.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram has seen his role grow significantly in 2026, increasing his snap participation to 57 percent compared to 42 percent in 2025. This uptick includes a notable rise in blocking assignments, moving away from the pass-heavy tendencies of the previous season.
Why it matters
The team implemented these changes to reduce offensive predictability by eliminating situational patterns that hampered the offense in 2025. By cross-training players in the tight end room, the coaching staff aims to keep opposing defenses guessing.
Engram recorded 26 blocking snaps in just two weeks, putting him on pace to exceed his 76-snap total from the entire 2025 regular season by Week 6. He also logged 43 receiving yards against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The players
Evan Engram
He is a veteran tight end currently playing for the Denver Broncos who previously spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nate Adkins
He is a Denver Broncos tight end who recorded receiving yards and a touchdown during the team's game against Jacksonville.
The details
The Broncos coaching staff improved communication and encouraged players to cross-train on various assignments to ensure versatility across the unit. Nate Adkins has also contributed, posting 32 receiving yards and a touchdown in the team's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Timeline
Evan Engram played for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022 through 2024.
Engram recorded a career-low 42 percent snap participation rate during the 2025 season.
Through the first two weeks of the 2026 season, Engram participated in 26 blocking snaps.
The team projects Engram will surpass his 2025 total blocking snap count by Week 6 of the 2026 season.
Season Trajectory
This shift in personnel usage signals a move toward a more balanced offensive attack, which may improve Denver's competitiveness in a crowded divisional race. By diversifying the role of tight ends, the Broncos look to avoid the situational predictability that limited their success last season.
For fantasy managers, Engram's increased presence on the field suggests a higher floor for participation, though his total blocking snaps could limit his ceiling for route running. The team's commitment to a 33.9 percent run play rate when he is active is a significant indicator of his new, more physical role within the game plan.
The takeaway
The Broncos are actively evolving their offensive strategy to maximize versatility rather than relying on narrow archetypes for their tight ends. This move forces defenses to respect both the run and pass when Engram is on the field, potentially opening up more opportunities for the entire receiving corps.
What happens next
The coaching staff will continue to monitor snap distribution and blocking efficiency through the upcoming weeks, with a milestone projected for Week 6.
Further reading
For more on how the team is utilizing its personnel this year, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denver Sports.
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