How does general manager Darren Mougey view the New York Jets’ tight end room less than one month away from the NFL draft?
Speaking to reporters at the owners meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, Mougey expressed confidence in the Jets’ tight end room despite the position group being widely regarded as a significant need. He also discussed the depth of the position in this year’s draft class.
“We feel good [about the tight end room],” said Mougey. “[Jeremy] Ruckert could take the next step. It is a good tight end class in the draft; there is some depth there, and we feel good about adding Stone Smartt, an athletic guy with some upside.”
After losing Tyler Conklin and Kenny Yeboah in free agency, the Jets’ only tight ends under contract are Ruckert, Smartt, Zack Kuntz, and Neal Johnson. Ruckert and Smartt are the only two who have logged targets in their NFL careers, while still combining for less than 650 career yards.
Ruckert was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2022 draft. The 24-year-old has appeared in 41 games throughout his NFL career (including 15 starts), hauling in 35 of his 52 targets for 264 yards and zero touchdowns.
Ruckert has also struggled mightily as a run-blocker, positing a horrific 39.0 run-blocking grade during the 2024 season, per PFF, the second-worst among qualified tight ends (min. 180 run-blocking snaps).
Smartt, 26, signed with the Jets on a one-year deal this offseason. After signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 draft, Smartt appeared in 38 games across three seasons in L.A., securing 31-of-45 targets for 380 yards and one touchdown.
During the 2024 season, Smartt appeared in 15 games, including two starts, and caught 16 of 19 targets for a career-high 208 yards. Late in the season, he stepped in for injured starter Will Dissly, recording eight catches for 87 yards across two starts.
Smartt, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds, began his college career as a quarterback at three different schools. He converted to wide receiver during his final collegiate season at Old Dominion. After joining the Chargers, he converted to tight end.
Although Mougey expressed confidence in the tight end room, the Jets still need help at the position and should focus on adding pieces during the upcoming draft.
