Four former Ole Miss football stars took the field in Indianapolis this past weekend for the 2017 NFL Combine. While Fadol Brown and DJ Jones headed into the weekend fighting for their Draft Day lives, Evan Engram and Quincy Adeboyejo were jockeying for position in crowded TE and WR fields, respectively.
The big story of the NFL Combine was John Ross of Washington setting a combine record in the 40-yard dash. However, former Ole Miss football standout Evan Engram had quite the weekend himself.
Evan Engram’s Combine Performance
Despite being the best tight end in the country a year ago, Engram was not a finalist for the Mackey Award.
Engram was not a finalist for the best TE in the nation. Here's how he compares to the finalists. I have no idea how he was left off. pic.twitter.com/nHEuiMMn0S
— Dylan Edwards (@DylanEdwards77) November 21, 2016
In any event, Engram ended his career in Oxford as the most decorated tight end in program history. He went into the weekend needing to separate himself from a crowded TE field. Boy, did Engram ever separate himself.
He turned heads, running a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash – a time that was faster than all but four wide receivers at the combine. For perspective, Engram’s time was nearly a full second faster than that of MSU wideout Fred Ross.
Reminder: Evan Engram is Fast.
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 4, 2017
Engram's 4.42 40-yard dash is the third fastest by a TE since 2006. pic.twitter.com/JOye6bWpBR
Engram’s performance was eye-catching. For example, he got the attention of Hall of Fame tight end, Shannon Sharpe.
You see how smooth Engram is. He's basically on the line and not weaving all over the place. Right system and qb . He's can be special.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) March 4, 2017
Moreover, Engram even measured comparably to his larger rivals in the TE class at the NFL Combine. Engram had such a good weekend that he is climbing into the First Round discussion.
New England Perfect Fit For Engram
Ole Miss Rebels Football
After his impressive weekend, we could see Engram climb into the first round. In my opinion, Engram is a perfect fit for the New England offense at pick 32.
Reports from the weekend suggest the Patriots are interested in adding a player who can stretch the field. Unable to acquire New Orleans’ Brandin Cooks, the Patriots may want to recreate their 2012 offense.
Adding Engram to the Patriots’ already efficient offense would create match-up problems for opposing defenses. The same problems were created by the Aaron Hernandez/Rob Gronkowski pairing. That is, before Hernandez’ off-the-field issues derailed his NFL career.
First Round Talent On And Off The Field
Engram can afford New England the same versatility without the off-field concerns. Moreover, off the field, Engram is the anti-Hernandez.
At Ole Miss, he was a two-time SEC Community Service Team member. Then, Engram was awarded the Pop Warner College Football Award for his dedication to service.
Further, if Engram were to go in the First Round, he would be the Rebels’ 11th First Round pick in the past twenty years. Meanwhile, MSU has only had one First Round pick in the same time-frame.
No matter where he goes, Engram will always be one of my favorite Rebels. Indeed, Evan Engram is one damn good Rebel.
Here’s to wishing Evan nothing but the best in what is sure to be a great NFL career.