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Heading into the 2024 season, the Jets have made a series of moves to improve the state of their roster and overall depth, but are they ready to compete for a playoff spot?
In this series, we’ll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we’ll go in-depth at the tight end position…
Projected depth chart
Starter: Tyler Conklin
Backups: Jeremy Ruckert, Kenny Yeboah, Zack Kuntz
Key additions/losses: CJ Uzomah joined the Eagles in free agency
Top Performer in 2023: Conklin 61 catches for 621 yards
2023 ranking via PFF: Conklin was 21st of 43 qualifying tight ends
What Jets’ tight ends have going for them
Conklin is the definition of a steady veteran presence, as he’s played in every game over the past three seasons and averaged 60 catches per season. He’s not really an impact player though, as he has averaged less than 10 yards per catch over that time and only scored six touchdowns, including none last year. He’s also dependable as a blocker, but not a difference-maker in that area.
The Jets are high on Ruckert, their 2022 third-round pick, who caught 16 passes last season after barely seeing the field as a rookie. They may feel he has more upside than Conklin, both as a blocker and as a passing game threat. Ruckert probably would have played more over the past two years if he didn’t have Conklin and Uzomah earning big money ahead of him, but with Uzomah gone, it’s time for him to step up.
Key concern for 2023: Depth
Ruckert is still relatively unproven, but the options behind him have virtually no experience whatsoever. Yeboah has been around for the past few years, but he’s mostly been on the practice squad and has just four career catches. Kuntz was drafted last season, but didn’t make the final roster and only played in one game. Undrafted rookies Lincoln Sefcik and Kevin Foelsch are obviously long shots to make the team.
The Jets have usually carried four tight ends on the active roster over the past few years, although the third-…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-2024-position-breakdown-jeremy-144237891.html
Author : SNY
Publish date : 2024-06-03 14:42:37
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