Who Should I Start? Jeremy Ruckert or Ben Sinnott

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.

Saturday, August 9, 12:18 AM

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott drew three targets and had two receptions for 10 yards against New England on Friday. It was a relatively quiet opener for the 2024 second-round pick, but he made a couple of nice catches and got separation on other throws where he wasn't targeted as well. He got most of the reps in the first half with veteran Zach Ertz resting before taking the second half off. The Kansas State product had modest production as a rookie with six catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in the regular season and playoffs combined. His snap count decreased over the final stretch of games, but he's generated positive reports from head coach Dan Quinn throughout Commanders' training camp. Sinnott has elite athletic traits at the tight end position and could be entrusted with a larger role in his second season. He carries contingent fantasy value if Ertz were to miss any time.