Who Should I Start? Jeremy Ruckert or Blake Whiteheart

Saturday, December 13, 2:41 AM

New York Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert will assume a starting role this Sunday when his team takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. Ruckert posted his highest snap share of the campaign in Week 14, but only came away with 19 yards on 2-of-3 receiving while teammate Mason Taylor (neck) dealt with an injury. With Taylor ruled out, the former third-round pick will get a chance to lead New York's TE room. However, he'll do so with rookie quarterback Brady Cook under center. Cook will get the starting nod this week, as fellow QBs Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) have both been deemed out with their respective injuries, lowering the fantasy floor for all Jets' skill players. Even with the expected bump in opportunity, Ruckert can be safely avoided by owners looking for a tight end to stream in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.

Monday, April 7, 7:38 PM

Exclusive-rights free-agent tight end Blake Whiteheart signed his tender offer from the Cleveland Browns on Monday and will officially return to the team in 2025. Whiteheart will head into his second season in Cleveland after catching six of nine targets for 51 yards and one touchdown in 11 games (two starts) in 2024. The 25-year-old once again won't be anywhere near the fantasy radar as he provides depth at the position for the Browns behind starter David Njoku. He went undrafted out of Wake Forest and began his NFL career in 2023 with the Arizona Cardinals, but he didn't receive a single target in two games played that year. In addition to Njoku and Whiteheart, the Browns also have Brenden Bates and Tre'McKitty on the TE depth chart this offseason.