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Giants took a Tight End, just not the one most expected

By Steven Ekenstierna (@stevie_oneduhh)

The New York Giants with the 23rd pick in the first round took Tight End Evan Engram out Mississippi. The pick came as a surprise to many who believed the Giants would draft a different Tight End…either OJ Howard or the New Jersey native, David Njoku, from the University of Miami (FL).

Don’t let the surprise cloud the fact that the Giants not only filled a gaping hole with Engram but they might have filled it with possibly the best receiving TE in the draft. Even better yet…the Giants got a leader.

A 2-year captain at Ole Miss, Engram improved on a yearly basis. That’s one of the reasons he receives high praise from those in Oxford, Mississippi but it’s far from the only reason. He proved to be reliable off the field throughout his career, never running into the trouble which was very different from his other high-profile former teammates Chad Kelly and Robert Nkemdiche.

He contributed in the classroom as well, including working his way onto the Honor Roll while volunteering his limited free time working closely with Special Olympics, according to his profile on Ole Miss Sports.

While many will focus solely on his highlight reel and his combine numbers, which are impressive, The Giants can be confident that they are getting a reliable and impressive young man. The Giants added someone who will fit right into the offense and into the locker room without issue.

Known for his infectious personality on campus as well as a record-breaking football player, you can see why he was beloved by all at Mississippi.  New York Giants fans and media figure to be a bit harder to win over, but Engram has everything it takes to accomplish that and more, on and off the field.