Jaguars plan to use franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, report

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars are expected to use the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Teams have until March 7 to apply the franchise or transition tag to players. The team and Engram would have until July 17 to get a long-term deal done. According to Spotrac, the franchise tag number is $11.345 million.

Engram signed a one-year, prove-it contract with the Jaguars last offseason and promptly set a franchise receiving record for tight ends. Engram had 766 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season on 73 receptions. General manager Trent Baalke said in his season-ending press conference that the team was hoping to not have to use the franchise tag. Jacksonville started the offseason more than $30 million over the salary cap but has since chopped that number down.

The team has restructured contracts with receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk and guard Brandon Scherff. It also re-signed defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and running back JaMychal Hasty in deals that helped the salary cap.