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Jets 2023 Position Breakdown: Can any youngsters crack the tight end rotation?

Bent
·4 min read
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Tyler Conklin, Zack Kuntz and Jeremy Ruckert

Heading into the 2023 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 on the tight ends…

Projected depth chart

Projected depth chart

Starter: Tyler Conklin

Backups: CJ Uzomah and Jeremy Ruckert

Key additions/losses: Drafted Zack Kuntz in the seventh round

Top Performer in 2022: Conklin 58 catches, 552 yards and three touchdowns

2022 ranking via PFF: Conklin 33rd (out of 42 qualifiers).

What Jets’ tight ends have going for them

Conklin and Uzomah each signed a three-year deal last offseason as the Jets overhauled a position that has underwhelmed them in recent years. The duo provided a veteran presence and good durability, taking up the vast majority of available reps at the tight end position between them.

While mostly used just as a safety valve and possession option, Conkin produced in volume. His 58 receptions were the highest by a Jets tight end since 2011. Uzomah is regarded as one of the team’s best leaders and played a key role as a blocker although his statistical production was much lower than it had been with Cincinnati.

The Jets drafted Ruckert in the third round of last year’s draft, but he was coming off an injury and not really expected to crack the rotation as a rookie. He showed flashes of potential with his blocking when he saw some late-season action, though

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs with the ball while Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell (24) attempts to tackle him.

Key concern for 2023: Red zone production

Conklin and Uzomah combined for just four red zone touchdowns last season, all in games that the Jets lost. In fact, two of these, from Conklin, came in garbage time.

With Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Jets would hope for more opportunities to score points with their tight ends. Conklin only has seven total touchdowns in his five-year career but Uzomah has 15 career touchdowns. The size and athleticism of the rookie Kuntz could mean he has a future in a red zone specialist role, too.

Player who must step up in 2023: Uzomah

The Jets love the leadership and team-first attitude that Uzomah brings to the table, but would probably like to see him contribute more in the passing game after he caught just 1.4 passes per game in his first year with them. That was his lowest average since 2017. The role he ended up playing last year was probably affected by New York’s inability to stay healthy on the offensive line, requiring him to focus more on his blocking.

When he was used in the passing game, Uzomah showed flashes of his playmaking abilities, as he averaged a career-high 11.0 yards per catch and he had previously produced well with the Bengals, racking up 64 receptions in the regular season and playoffs in 2021. Hopefully, Rodgers and the Jets can unlock more of these abilities.

New York Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) signals for a first down during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Biggest camp battle: Ruckert vs. Kuntz vs. Kenny Yeboah

While the Jets are hopeful Ruckert will step up and prove worthy of more playing time in 2023, they aren’t guaranteeing him anything as they drafted Kuntz in the seventh round. Standing 6-foot-7 and with outstanding workout numbers, Kuntz has unlimited potential but may be too raw to contribute immediately. He may be too promising to expose to waivers though, so he has a good chance of making the roster. Yeboah, who contributes well on special teams, will once again compete for a reserve role.

The Jets also added a couple of undrafted rookies – EJ Jenkins and Izaiah Gathings – but they must be considered long shots to contribute this season. Perhaps either of them could earn a practice squad spot as a developmental project.

Overall 2023 outlook

The Jets have a diverse group of players at this position with a nice mixture of youth and experience and players who can contribute both in the passing game and as blockers. Conklin and Uzomah should still see most of the action, but there will be opportunities for their youngsters to prove they deserve playing time as well. Then, as both Conklin and Uzomah enter the final year of their contract in 2024, they’ll potentially be able to move on from one or both of them.

Some have suggested the Jets could yet another body to this group by signing Rodgers’ former teammate Marcedes Lewis at some point. The 39-year-old is still unsigned and still has plenty to offer as a blocker and a red zone target. If the Jets don’t look to add Lewis, that’s perhaps a good sign that they’re satisfied with the group as it is.