Gang Green Nation
It’s all on the rookie.
Over the last several decades, tight end has not been a position of abundance for the Jets. It certainly doesn’t look to be a spot where the Jets have great depth in 2025, but there is a promising rookie in the mix.
Mason Taylor
The Jets selected Taylor in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In an ideal world, a second round tight end could start off as the number two or even number three player at the position. That would provide the player a chance to get his feet wet in the NFL playing limited snaps and focusing on a handful of concepts. From there, he could grow to take on the number one tight end role in a year or two.
Because of the lack of quality at the position, Taylor will receive no such luxury. He will be tossed into the starting lineup immediately.
Is it possible he will be an impact player from day one? Sure, some players grow quickly as soon as they are given big responsibilities in the NFL. For Taylor’s part, the competition for targets in the passing game will not be fierce. Early reports out of training camp also have Jets coaches impressed with his early progress.
But while some tight ends are ready to contribute immediately, most are not. Jets fans can certainly hope for the best with Taylor. They should, however, brace themselves for the possibility of a slow start. As we discussed earlier in the week, even a 400 yard rookie season should leave Jets fans feeling very optimistic about his future trajectory.
For a guy of his size Taylor’s movement skills, particularly his ability to change direction is very smooth. The physical tools are there for him to become a quality starter at the tight end position. The question is how quickly he can master the nuances of blocking technique and route running.
A dream scenario would be for him to pick these things up quickly.
A more realistic scenario might be that all of the extra game reps he will get as a Week 1 starter will help him develop quicker than your typical tight end, and by the end of the first season he starts to look like a guy who belongs in the NFL.
Jeremy Ruckert
Zach Kuntz
Life is good when the head coach and general manager believe you have potential. You can keep a spot on the roster and/or practice squad no matter your level of play.
Life becomes more difficult when they get fired, and you have a new head coach/general manager duo. The new regime will have its own project players. Suddenly remaining on the team requires you to produce.
Such is the situation in which Jeremy Ruckert and Zach Kuntz find themselves.
Ruckert was a late third round pick in the Jets’ stellar 2022 Draft class. Unfortunately he has not come close to attaining...
