New York Jets Player of the Day: TE Rich Caster

In this series, we’ll be highlighting a different player from the storied past of the New York Jets. Today, we take a look at tight end Rich Caster.

One of the most productive tight ends in franchise history, Rich Caster was a key member of the Jets offense for nearly a decade.

Caster was a second-round pick in the 1970 NFL draft out of Jackson State, and he immediately showed off his big-play ability at the next level. Despite not being a full-time starter as a rookie (just six starts over 14 games), Caster was a dangerous weapon for the New York passing attack, averaging an incredible 20.7 yards per reception.

He made his first Pro Bowl in 1972, his third season in the league, after needing just 39 receptions to rack up 833 yards and 10 touchdowns. That year, he averaged a career-high 21.4 yards per catch.

Caster would make the Pro Bowl three times in his career, all of them with the Jets. Overall, he would spent 14 seasons in the NFL, eight of them with the Gang Green. He would finish his career by playing three seasons for the Houston Oilers, two years with the Washington Redskins, and one season with the New Orleans Saints. He was a member of Washington’s Super Bowl XVII champion team.

Caster’s 36 career touchdown receptions in a Jets uniform still rank seventh in franchise history, third among all tight ends, trailing just Mickey Shuler and Jerome Barkum. His 4,434 career receiving yards are the 10th-most on the team’s all-time list, again trailing just Shuler and Barkum among all tight ends.

He averaged 18.1 yards per reception for his entire eight-year stint in New York, the third-highest mark in team history among pass-catchers with at least 20 career receptions.

What’s your favorite Rich Caster memory? Share your story in the comment section!