NY Jets Post-2021 NFL Draft State of the Roster: Tight ends

Trevon Wesco, TE, NY Jets

One of the biggest surprises of the entire Jets offseason is how the team didn't go out and acquire a fullback for its new offense.

Many assumed that the Jets' offense led by Mike LaFleur would borrow a page from the San Francisco 49ers, but instead, it appears that the new playbook may be a closer copy of the one used in Green Bay under Mike's brother Matt LaFleur.

Everyone under the sun assumed that the Jets' would be strong players for 49ers do-it-all fullback Kyle Juszczyk. But San Francisco wisely paid top dollar for him and prevented one of their best players from entering free agency.

The Jets did not pursue any of the available fullbacks on the open market, and then the draft came, and it was more of the same.

Despite reports that the Jets were interested in drafting Michigan fullback Ben Mason, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens late in Round 5, two picks before the Jets were on the clock in Round 6. New York did not draft a fullback or sign one as an undrafted free agent.

The only player on the Jets roster that can and has played fullback is third-year player Trevon Wesco, who the team has listed at tight end.

A position he played in college at West Virginia, when the Jets selected him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Much like the Green Bay Packers, Gang Green has no fullbacks listed on their 90-player roster.

Under Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the Packers employ two tight ends in their starting base on offense, with players like Josiah Deguara and veteran Marcedes Lewis playing in-line and as lead blockers on the move.

The presumption is that the Jets will employ the same type of setup. However, it may seem foolhardy to assume that Mike LaFleur will follow the same steps as his brother.

After all, the newly minted offensive coordinator will be in a position to put his own stamp on an offense he worked under. Although, the roster makeup of the Jets looks very similar to Green Bay's.

And if that's the case, then Trevon Wesco's role in the Jets offense will be crucial in 2021. The 6-foot-3, 267-pound tweener has been used sparingly as a receiver since being drafted.

Despite the fact that some foolishly labeled him as "Baby Gronk" coming out of the 2019 NFL Draft, his role in the Jets offense will call for him to be "Baby Juszczyk."

That's a lot of pressure to put on someone who is largely unproven, but the fact that the Jets did not go out and acquire a player similar to Wesco suggests that they believe that he is up for what will be an important task in the Jets rushing attack.