Who Should I Start? Jeremy Ruckert or Josh Whyle

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.

Thursday, August 7, 9:20 AM

Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm was listed as the team's second tight end on the first unofficial depth chart, behind only Chig Okonkwo and ahead of Josh Whyle, who was the team's second tight end last year. The Titans drafted Helm out of Texas with the No. 120 pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft after he logged 60 catches for 786 yards and seven touchdowns in Texas's quick passing game. Helm had a bad combine, potentially due to injury, but he has earned playing time with a strong training camp and could become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Helm and the Titans start preseason on Saturday in Tampa Bay, and it will be important to see exactly how the tight end work is divided going into Week 1 against the Broncos.