Who Should I Start? Hunter Long or Jeremy Ruckert

Wednesday, July 10, 9:10 PM

Working in Los Angeles Rams tight end Hunter Long's favor is the fact that Tyler Higbee (knee) probably isn't going to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. That lone could land Long a spot on the 53-man roster to open the year if Higbee starts on the Physically Unable to Perform list. However, the Rams added Colby Parkinson in the offseason and love the potential of Davis Allen. If one of Nikola Kalinic or Neal Johnson emerges in training camp and the preseason, Long could be out of a roster spot. The 25-year-old finished last year on Injured Reserve after having surgery on his MCL but he was taking part in organized team activities this offseason and should be ready to go this fall. In just four games played in 2023, Long wasn't targeted at all while playing 54 offensive snaps for the Rams.

Monday, June 9, 12:26 PM

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert has shown progress as a pass-catcher this offseason. Ruckert was teammates with new quarterback Justin Fields in college at Ohio State, so he's been seeing a heavy workload during organized team activities. Still, Ruckert has plenty to prove coming off three disappointing seasons to start his NFL career, including regressing as a run-blocker last year. "I think he can help us in the passing game, he'll be a really good blocker," had coach Aaron Glenn said. "There's some technical things he can improve on." The 24-year-old former third-rounder (101st overall) in 2022 is still searching for his first NFL touchdown and has caught just 35 of 52 targets for 264 yards in his three seasons. With the Jets taking Mason Taylor in the second round of this year's draft, Ruckert's path to fantasy value is even more of an uphill battle.