Who Should I Start? Jeremy Ruckert or Harold Fannin Jr.

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.

Friday, June 13, 3:10 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a busy day earlier this week at mandatory minicamp and could have a big role in his first season in the NFL with the Browns expected to use more two-tight end sets in 2025. "He's got really strong hands," tight ends coach Christian Jones said. "He tracks the ball well and you see it on tape every time he's been playing when you study him and we're getting ready to see what he'd be for us. The guy catches everything, tracks the ball well and really adjusts to the ball in the air." Fannin is on the small side for a TE, but his production last year at Bowling Green speaks for itself (117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns). It's unclear if he has the athleticism to exceed regularly in the NFL, though, and he'll have a tough time making a fantasy impact in 2025 as long as David Njoku stays healthy.