NY Jets: 4 mid-round tight ends to target in the 2021 NFL Draft

The NY Jets have an abundance of roster needs to address in the 2021 NFL Draft. From the offensive line to cornerback, general manager Joe Douglas will surely have his hands full.

Not to mention the gaping hole at the quarterback position that will likely be filled with the No. 2 overall pick. But perhaps one of the more underrated needs on the roster is at tight end.

The Jets enter the draft with a very similar tight end depth chart to the one that they deployed last season. The only change at the position has come with the addition of veteran Tyler Kroft who replaces special-teamer Daniel Brown on the roster.

But Kroft is more of a blocker than a true receiving threat and will likely do nothing more than fill a part-time role on offense and special teams.

The star of the show — using that phrase generously here — is Chris Herndon who returns for his fourth year in New York and will be looking to bounce back after two disappointing seasons.

After a promising rookie campaign, Herndon has fallen off a cliff missing essentially all of the 2019 season due to a suspension and multiple injuries. He followed that up with a disastrous 2020 season in which he totaled just 31 catches for 287 yards despite starting all year.

The Jets’ organization clearly still has some optimism that Herndon could turn things around in the new offensive scheme under offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

But it might be in their best interest to explore an addition in the draft.

They’re unlikely to target the position early — meaning guys like Kyle Pitts and Pat Freiermuth are not being considered. But what about in the middle of the draft?

Let’s take a look at four tight ends the Jets could target in the middle rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Next: 4. Tre' McKitty