New York Jets third-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert will attempt to establish himself in a loaded offense this season. The former Ohio State standout has yet to meet expectations as a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ruckert finds himself in now-or-never territory.
The Jets entered the 2022 offseason desperately needing playmakers at tight end. Their leading receiver at the position during the 2021 campaign was Ryan Griffin, who totaled 27 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Ruckert was drafted to help fix that, but a pair of offseason signings made his road to playing time a difficult one.
General manager Joe Douglas drafted Ruckert at No. 101 overall despite signing Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah to fairly sizable contracts in free agency one month earlier. Ruckert found snaps nearly impossible to come by. He was inactive for eight games, appearing in just nine, and didn’t record his first and only reception of his rookie season until the Week 18 finale.
Despite acquiring three tight ends during the 2022 offseason, Douglas drafted another one in 2023. Old Dominion's Zach Kuntz was selected in the seventh round. Though Ruckert was now facing more competition for snaps, the Lindenhurst native did see an increase in playing time as a sophomore due to recurring injuries to Uzomah.
Ruckert was Robert Saleh's preferred choice in two-tight-end sets opposite Conklin with Uzomah out. He totaled 310 offensive snaps, which accounted for 28.16% of all Jets offensive plays. That's significantly more involvement than he saw as a rookie (46 snaps, 4.13%). Ruckert converted those opportunities to 16 catches for 151 yards.
Offseason developments have now catapulted Ruckert into the unquestioned No. 2 tight end role. Uzomah was released from his contract in a cap-clearing transaction. Kuntz managed two offensive snaps as a rookie, failing to earn the trust of Saleh's offensive coaching staff. Ruckert won't have to wait for an injury to get into the lineup this time around.
Aaron Rodgers no-look pass to Jeremy Ruckert 👀🔥🔥#Jets | 🎥 @nyjets pic.twitter.com/DdZd3XbR7c
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) June 4, 2024
That doesn't necessarily mean passing-game targets will arrive in bunches. The Jets are loaded at the wide receiver position around Aaron Rodgers as they prepare to take a run at Super Bowl LIX. Garrett Wilson appears primed for his first 100-catch campaign in 2024. Douglas also signed two-time 1,000-yard wideout Mike Williams following his release from the Los Angeles Chargers.
One of Rodgers' favorite targets, Allen Lazard, is also still on the roster. Douglas also drafted former Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley with a third-round pick. Rodgers has plenty of potential game-changing weapons to choose from.
Ruckert will probably never be a starring pass-catcher in the Jets' offense. He's failed to showcase a skill set that's capable of reaching those heights, but that doesn't mean he can't be a productive member of Nathaniel Hackett's unit. Ruckert may often be utilized as a blocking tight end, one that can create rushing lanes for Breece Hall. The onus is on him to maximize the opportunities that arrive.
