Lindenhurst's Jeremy Ruckert settles into consistency with Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jeremy Ruckert likes the Jets’ new offensive system and the role he’s going to play in it.

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was with the Lions last season. They emphasized the running game and utilized the tight end more than most offenses. Ruckert is ready to show he can be effective both as a blocker and pass-catcher.

“Talking with the staff, I’m excited about it,” he said after Friday’s practice. “Just to do a little bit of everything, be that consistent guy to do all the jobs that I get asked and just try to be more dominant and more consistent.

“I’m going into Year 4, so I got a pretty good feel for what it takes in this league . . . So continuing to grow. I feel really good right now where I’m at. Be that dominant every-down, everyday tight end that can do whatever is asked of me.”

The Lindenhurst product, who said this is the best he’s felt coming into a season, hasn’t made much of an impact since the Jets drafted him in the third round in 2022. Strong and physical, Ruckert has been used more as a blocker. He has 35 career catches for 264 yards.

Ruckert likely won’t be a high-volume receiver, but he could be more involved than in previous years.

Rookie tight end Mason Taylor has stood out in camp. He’s caught touchdown passes the last three practices and should be a main target for Justin Fields. But Ruckert made plays on Friday, catching passes from Fields and Tyrod Taylor during team periods.

“You saw today in the passing game where he could be a factor,” coach Aaron Glenn said.

Glenn has seen Ruckert develop in that area. He also feels confident in Ruckert’s ability to line up next to either tackle and keep pass rushers off the quarterback or create holes in the running game.

“The one thing that I like more than anything is he’s a true ‘Y’ tight end, meaning he’s a guy that can get in line and move people off the ball,” Glenn said. “He’s shown that in practice. And to be able to have a [defensive lineman] standing in front of you — a man that’s 280 pounds — being able to block that man, it’s hard to do for a tight end. He’s been doing a pretty good job of that.

“Listen, there’s more for him to improve on, but I like where he’s going.”

Glenn said it’s more “natural” for Taylor to catch passes because that was his role at LSU. Ruckert caught only 54 passes — 12 of them touchdowns — in four seasons for Ohio State, where he was teammates with Fields and Garrett Wilson.

Glenn expects Ruckert to make plays like he did in Friday’s practice.

“I’m not going to put a cap on him, where he can be at,” he said. “But I know exactly what I want him to be, and he’s doing a good job trying to practice that on a daily basis.”

Ruckert’s focus has been on being more consistent, being more of a leader as the longest-tenured Jet in the tight end room, and making sure he wins his one-on-one matchups at the line of scrimmage.

“I believe that I can do anything they’re asking of me,” he said. “The opportunities I get in the pass game and making those plays, which I’m feeling pretty good about right now, and just focused on being a dominant and every-down tight end and win that ‘C’ gap.”

Ruckert said he’s not worried about how many targets he gets, only about playing the role the Jets want.

“I’m just going to control what I can control, and when I get those opportunities, make the most of them,” he said. “I’m confident in what I can do. Mason’s a great player and he’s going to be really good in this league. He’s young and he’s got some flashes.

“We’re excited about our room and handling what we need to handle, being the group they rely on. And when those opportunities come for me, just make the most of them. This is the best I’ve felt mentally, physically, emotionally. I’m excited about this season, excited about where we’re going and our room especially.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.