The Top Three New York Jets Tight Ends of All Time

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets tight end

Jace Amaro

(88) against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s continue electing our New York Jets All-Time roster, voted by you, the J-E-T Press readers.

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Over the last several days, we have been voting on the best Jets players ever at each position. So far we have looked at the quarterback position, as well as the running backs and wide receivers.

Today we look at the tight ends. You may notice that there are only three. We had a top five at each position prior, quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Why only three this time? Simply put, the Jets don’t exactly have a rich history at the tight end position. I think you all might have pointed and laughed if I included Kyle Brady, and Johnny Mitchell didn’t perform well for nearly long enough.

The guy above, Jace Amaro, is too young. I could have included Mark Sanchez‘s best friend, Dustin Keller, but his numbers are dwarfed by the three guys we have here today.

So here they are, the credentials of the top three nominees for the Jets best tight end of all-time. Vote for your favorite at the end, the winner makes our roster. Let’s get to it.

Next: Mickey Shuler

We start with a guy that did his best work with the Jets in the 1980’s. Mickey Shuler was drafted by the Jets in the third round of the 1978 draft, with the 61st pick overall. Shuler was primarily a backup tight end until 1984, when he took the team by storm.

From 1984-1988, Shuler averaged over 65 receptions per season, and posted 3,575 yards to go along with 25 touchdowns. Shuler was selected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1986 and 1988. He is seventh on the Jets all-time receiving list with 5,100 yards.

Our first nominee, number 82, Mickey Shuler!

Next: Jerome Barkum

The next guy led the New York Jets through the seventies and into the early eighties at the tight end position. Jerome Barkum was drafted by the Jets with the ninth overall pick in the 1972 draft, and stayed with the Jets throughout his entire career which ended in 1983.

Barkum’s best season was in 1973, when he posted 44 receptions for 810 yards and six touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in that season. For our younger readers, here are Barkum’s career stats with the Jets:

Receiving & Rushing

Barkum’s 4,789 receiving yards is good for eight all-time for the Jets. They may have been lean years, but Jerome Barkum was a consistent player throughout the decade of the 70’s and beyond.

Our second nominee, number 83, Jerome Barkum!

Next: Rich Caster

Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets former players

Joe Namath

(left) and

Marty Lyons

(right) talk before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The final candidate was a target Mr. Namath in the 1970’s as well. Rich Caster was drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 1970 draft. During his eight years with the Jets, Caster was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1972, 1974, 1975). 1972 was his most productive season, with 833 yard and ten touchdowns. Here are his career stats:

Receiving & Rushing

Caster’s 4,434 yard are good for tenth on the New York Jets all-time list.

Our final nominee, number 88, Rich Caster!

There you have it, our three candidates to make the Jet Press all-time roster. Vote below.

Who is the best New York Jets tight end of all time?

Mickey Shuler

(58%, 25 Votes)

Rich Caster

(37%, 16 Votes)

Jerome Barkum

(5%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 43

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