Jets Tight End Depth Chart Among Most Improved Groups on Roster

The Jets did an awful lot to upgrade the talent on their roster as they transitioned from 2021 to 2022.  Whether it was through the draft or free agency, Joe Douglas has attacked a myriad of positions.  It was necessary for Douglas to show he means business and that’s just what he did.  But which group did he improve the most?

There are a few positions you could list to answer that question.  Adding Jermaine Johnson, Michael Clemons and Jacob Martin to a defensive front that will have Carl Lawson returning is intriguing.  Signing DJ Reed to play cornerback before drafting Sauce Gardner with their first pick is another contender.

However, we’re going to make the case for the tight end position being the team’s most improved group overall.  Why?  Because in looking at the defensive line and cornerback position, the Jets needed upgrades, but there was already some talent in place.  Quinnen Williams and John Franklin-Myers are very good players who had some very impressive moments in 2021.  Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols aren’t going to make anyone forget Darelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, but they’re solid players who will be a round for a while.

But at tight end?  There was about as close to nothing as you get in the NFL.

Since 2015, Jets tight ends have averaged just 40 catches per year with 2015 and 2016 yielding a total of just 26 receptions. Yes, you read that correctly. All tight ends on the Jets roster over a two-year period caught 26 passes. Should see 3 different TE’s top that in 2023.

— Glenn Naughton (@AceFan23) June 13, 2022

Tyler Kroft might be solid second tight end for somebody, but that wasn’t the case last season in Mike LeFleur’s offense.  And Ryan Griffin?  He had himself a nice stretch with the Jets a couple seasons ago but was never the same player after suffering a knee injury late in the 2021 season.  Undrafted free agent Kenny Yeboah could be an asset moving forward, but the undrafted free agent was too wet behind the ears to be counted on last season.

Meanwhile, Treveon Wesco has been used exclusively as a blocker while a smattering of other tight ends saw some action on special teams.

Since 2015, Jets tight ends have averaged just 40 catches per year with 2015 and 2016 yielding a total of just 26 receptions. Yes, you read that correctly. All tight ends on the Jets roster over a two-year period caught 26 passes. Should see 3 different TE’s top that in 2023.

— Glenn Naughton (@AceFan23) June 13, 2022

Now, as the 2022 season approaches, the overhauled tight end room boasts considerably more talent.  First and foremost, the Jets added a pair of free agents in CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin from the Bengals and Titans respectively.  Uzomah may have signed first, but Conklin is the better all-around player from what we’ve seen on film.

Once they were done adding tight ends via free agency, the team drafted immediate fan-favorite Jeremy Ruckert out of Ohio State.  A player who should be better as a pro than he was in college, Ruckert is a 3-down tight end who is a very good blocker with fantastic hands.

And don’t overlook converted wide receiver Lawrence Cager.

One thing that pops up consistently with Lawrence Cager is concentration on some of these catches. DB’s draped all over him, pulling on one arm while he makes the catch with the other. Impressive stuff from the UDFA. pic.twitter.com/R63l2O1GC7

— Glenn Naughton (@AceFan23) May 1, 2020

Originally signed by the Jets out of Georgia after transferring from Miami, the 6′ 5” Cager was let go and spent some time with the Browns before coming back this offseason.  The former receiver gave fans an update via twitter to let them know he’d beefed up from 220 lbs to 241 at just 8% body fat.

241

8% body fat

— Lawrence Cager (@lawrencecager3) May 17, 2022

As a former receiver with excellent height and strong hands, giving Cager a look at tight end made a lot of sense.  It’s a no-risk, high-reward move by the Jets who may find a diamond in the rough to add to what is now a very respectable group of pass catchers.

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