Getty A snapshot of the battle between the New York Jets and the New York Giants in the preseason.
The New York Jets and the New York Giants are set to square off for their annual preseason contest at MetLife Stadium.
Before they get there, they participated in a joint practice for the first time in over 17 years.
It is something head coach Robert Saleh hopes will continue into the future because it just makes “too much sense” with them being down the road. Something else that makes sense is teams scouting one another and taking notes during practice.
That could lead to some players getting swiped in the next week.
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Something to Keep an Eye On
The Giants added another tight end to the room this week and it highlights a major weakness on their roster.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic said the career reception total of Big Blue’s tight end room is now eight.
That led Zack Rosenblatt, who covers the Jets for The Athletic, to say he “would imagine the Giants have their eye today on” all of the Gang Green tight ends who could be on the roster bubble.
Indicating that when the Jets make their roster cuts at tight end next week that the Giants could be waiting at the end of the rainbow.
For the first time in a long time, the Jets are well stocked at the tight end position. So much so that they’ll have some tough decisions to make in that room during finalcuts:
Roster Construction Questions
The top three names on the depth chart are absolute locks to make the roster in Uzomah, Conklin, and Ruckert.
Now whether they choose to keep more beyond that is up to the team. There is no how-to guide or a right versus wrong way to do it for building an NFL roster.
It is within the realm of possibilities that the Jets keep four tight ends or maybe six wide receivers or only three running backs.
Although one battle that you may want to keep a very close eye on that could have a direct ripple effect on this is the decision at fullback.
If Gang Green dumps Nick Bawden, that could directly open the door to keeping a fourth guy at tight end (Cager or Wesco).
Another possibility is Ruckert, who is continuing to get healthy, playing a quasi-fullback role in his rookie season. With obvious talent and star power above him on the depth chart, he could contribute in a unique way which could get him on the field quicker.
In the same vein that would also lessen the need for a fullback which could also open up an additional roster spot.
#Jets OC Mike LaFleur called TE Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) ‘a grown man’ + explained how he can make an impact from Day 1 w/ his blocking prowess using @OhioStateFB film, ‘he’s gonna make you know that he’s coming all freaking day’: 🎥 @nyjets #Flight2022 #TakeFlight
Either way, Gang Green can’t keep them all and with that, it seems like the Giants are lurking behind the corner to swipe one of them next week.
You can understand why when you evaluate their depth chart at tight end:
- Tanner Hudson
- Daniel Bellinger
- Austin Allen
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