NFL training camp begins at the end of July, which means players across the league are getting their final offseason work done before the real work of trying to make the roster begins.
For some players, this season is what some might call “make or break,” meaning they need to have a productive year or they could look for employment elsewhere at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
We will highlight these players for the Jetscontinuing today with tight end Jeremy Ruckert.
2023 Statistics
– 15 games (six matches)
– 16 receptions for 151 yards
Why make or break?
Ruckert’s role increased significantly in 2023, but he was still in a rotational role and had a smaller impact throughout the season. However, he is expected to be an even bigger factor in 2024, especially following the veteran’s departure. CJ Uzomah.
Tyler Conklin will once again enter the year as the Jets’ best tight end, but he is in the final year of his contract. While he hopes to have a breakout season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, it’s equally likely that the Jets could begin moving on from him with the intention of Ruckert taking over as a starter in the final year of his rookie contract in 2025.
Indications are that the Jets remain high on Ruckert, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, and that he likely would have seen much more playing time in his first two seasons if he didn’t have the highly paid Conklin and Uzomah at his side. in front of him.
What will break this?
The Jets have a lot of offensive weapons, so Ruckert may not have many opportunities to make an impact in the passing game. He’ll need every chance he can get to establish himself as someone Rodgers feels he can trust to have a chance to produce.
Of course, if Conklin escapes, the Jets may be forced to re-sign him, in which case Ruckert appears destined to remain stuck behind him on the depth chart.
Ruckert, who missed time with a shoulder injury and concussion in 2023, also can’t afford to get hurt because he could lose time to one of the young tight ends behind him who has yet to make an impact.
What will happen?
Ruckert has already shown that he can be a reliable blocker in several tight end sets and has shown signs that he can be someone who will produce in volume, as 11 of his 16 receptions came in a five-game span after Uzomah was injured and before himself. Ruckert has missed the last few games. That kind of production extrapolated over an entire season could translate into 30-40 catches, but he has the potential to make more than that.
For the team to consider him a viable option to replace Conklin in 2025 or start taking reps away from him this year, he needs to maximize every opportunity to make plays in the passing game. Ruckert has not scored a touchdown or made any long plays so far in his career, as he is averaging less than 10 yards per reception. However, he has the ability to run down the seam and the size to be an option in the red zone.
Conklin himself averaged less than 10 yards per reception as a Jet and scored no touchdowns on 61 receptions last season, so there’s an opportunity for Ruckert to prove he has more upside as a deep threat in the passing game.
The Jets will continue to use a lot of tight ends sets, so it’s virtually guaranteed that Ruckert will see plenty of time even if Conklin remains healthy and productive. However, he will need to make the most of any looks that come his way for that playing time to translate into real targets.
