Jeremy Ruckert, New York Jets
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New York Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert reacting in the middle of an NFL game against the Miami Dolphins.
New York Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert’s job is in jeopardy.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic delivered some harsh truths on his podcast, “Flight Plan.”
“Tight end actually would be one that I have my eye on [during waivers] because I think you have Mason Taylor, Stone Smartt, I think Andrew Beck is going to be on this team, whether it’s practice squad at the beginning or whatever, but Jeremy Ruckert has had a really bad summer. If there is a tight end that is a pure good blocker, which is what Jeremy Ruckert’s role is supposed to be, like I can totally see the Jets claiming a blocker on waivers and cutting or trading Ruckert,” Rosenblatt explained.
Important NFL Date to Watch for the Jets
By 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 26, every team in the NFL must reduce its roster from 90 players to 53. Do the math. 32 teams, 90 players per roster, that amounts to over 2,880 players in the league, give or take.
At 4:01 pm on Tuesday, August 26, around 1,184 of those players will hit the waiver wire. Every team in the NFL will have 20 hours to evaluate that talent and decide whether anyone is worth putting in a waiver claim.
That year’s NFL draft order determines the waiver wire order during the offseason. For example, the Jets held the No. 7 overall pick in April’s draft and will hold the No. 7 overall waiver wire priority until we reach the season.
That means the Jets will have the seventh-best chance of anyone in the league at picking up some of these players who get waived.
If the Jets place a waiver claim for anyone and it is successful, they must immediately create a roster spot by making a corresponding move.
Ruckert Has Just Failed to Live up to the Billing
The former Ohio State product joined the Jets back in 2022 as the No. 101 overall pick in the third round.
Ruckert has only started 15 games during his career and has appeared in 41. With those opportunities, Ruckert has averaged 7.5 yards per reception, has caught 35 passes, and has accumulated 264 receiving yards. He has failed to score a touchdown in his three-year career to date.
This offseason, NFL legend Tony Richardson revealed to Jets team reporter Caroline Hendershot that Ruckert changed positions. A more accurate depiction would be Ruckert added to his responsibilities.
On top of his tight end responsibilities, Ruckert has gotten some work in as a fullback. That seemed to be a positive sign for Ruckert and his development.
However, the grains of sand in the hourglass are running out. Ruckert has one year left on his $5 million rookie contract.
Andrew Beck Has Made a Surprisingly Strong Case to Make the Roster
One of the biggest surprises of the summer has been the emergence of Andrew Beck.
General manager Darren Mougey’s first signing when he became the head honcho was signing Beck. It was a one-year $1.13 million contract with only $167,500 guaranteed.
The former Texas product has bounced around the league since joining as an undrafted free agent in 2019. With the Jets, he is serving in a multifaceted role as a fullback and a tight end.
He had a coming-out party during the Jets’ preseason opener versus the Green Bay Packers. He had two receptions (tied for most on the team) for 36 receiving yards (most on the team).
Beck, 29, has perhaps found his forever home with the Jets during his seventh NFL season.