The San Francisco 49ers officially added veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen on Tuesday, a massive move that shifts their offensive landscape. But get this: even with Allen now in the fold, new reports from ESPN reveal the Niners were actually poking around for tight end help right before the trade deadline. Yeah, you heard that right, they were seriously eyeing the Broncos’ Evan Engram.
The Tight End Hunt and Why Allen Made Sense
According to the ESPN report, Engram was definitely on the 49ers’ radar. It makes sense when you dig into his numbers: Engram lines up as an inline tight end a solid 44% of the time for Denver this year, with another 40.9% in the slot and 14.5% outside. He is listed at 6’3″, 240 pounds, and at 32 years old, his average depth of target this season is under five yards. But here is the kicker: if you just strip away that “tight end” label, Engram and Allen are pretty much interchangeable. Both guys move around the formation, and both excel at running those crucial underneath routes. Dan Graziano from ESPN even noted that the 49ers have been “scrambling to fill those spots all season,” specifically talking about wide receivers. It tells you everything about their priority.
Keenan Allen, Brock Purdy’s Ultimate Security Blanket
So, while Engram was clearly on their mind, they landed on Allen. This guy can line up in so many different spots, it is wild. He is exactly what the 49ers need to weather the storm until they get fully healthy. Allen will be the ultimate role player, a reliable target who is going to make life so much easier for Brock Purdy. He is that safety net, that absolute security blanket Purdy can count on when things get hairy. It is a smart pickup, one that addresses a clear need, even if it took a look at an unexpected name like Engram to get there. It is interesting to think about past “what ifs” too, like when the Jaguars were in on DeForest Buckner before he ended up with the 49ers. You have to wonder where the Niners would have pivoted then.
This Allen acquisition is a game-changer for the 49ers’ offense. It is a definite upgrade in terms of immediate impact and versatility, giving Purdy a seasoned, reliable target. This move shows the Niners were serious about bolstering their receiving corps. Now we get to see what Allen can do, and how quickly he integrates into that offense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
Leave a Reply