NY Jets: 4 tight ends to target early in the 2022 NFL Draft

The NY Jets need tight end help. That's a phrase that could have been uttered at any point over the last decade and still represented the truth.

The Jets have been searching for a reliable tight end since the days of Dustin Keller, and truth be told, the position has been put on the back burner for far too long.

From failed draft picks such as Jace Amaro and Chris Herndon to stop-gap veterans like Austin Seferian-Jenkins and more recently Ryan Griffin/Tyler Kroft, the Jets have failed to adequately address the position.

And lest we forget the glory days of Kellen Davis and Brandon Bostick. The Jets' tight end position has been a hodgepodge of underperforming talent for the better part of the last decade.

This offseason, it would be wise for the team to finally address the position in a serious manner.

No more stop-gaps, no more failed mid-round picks. The Jets need to target a tight end, and they need to do so early. It's time that the team invests a significant asset into a position that should be a focal point of the offense.

Let's take an early look at four tight end prospects the Jets might target in the 2022 NFL Draft.

4. NY Jets draft target: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina

If you're looking for a player who is essentially an oversized wide receiver at the tight end position, look no further than Isaiah Likely.

The Coastal Carolina standout is one of the focal points of their high-powered offense and it's easy to see why. At 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Likely is built like a tight end but has the athleticism and speed of an NFL wide receiver.

He is the very definition of a matchup nightmare.

His eight-catch, 232-yard, four-touchdown performance against Arkansas State earlier in the year is the perfect example of how he has the ability to completely take a game over.

Obviously, his biggest drawback is his subpar blocking ability. Coastal Carolina tends to split him out wide or in the slot to counteract this, and we've seen this work with various tight ends in recent years.

Darren Waller, Kyle Pitts, and Evan Engram are three examples of tight ends who may not be the best blockers, but their receiving skills make up for it. Likely is looking to be next-in-line in a growing list of "modern-day" NFL tight ends.

He's a speedy vertical threat who has shown the ability to make plays after the catch and he likely has the softest hands in the entire class.

Isaiah Likely would be an excellent addition to the new-look Jets offense and easily give them the most dynamic tight end they've had in years.

3. Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M

Jalen Wydermyer is looking to become Texas A&M's highest-drafted tight end since Martellus Bennett was drafted 61st overall back in 2008. And he has a pretty good shot too.

At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, Wydermyer is one of the most impressive physical specimens in this class. He uses his large frame to physically dominate defenders at the catch point.

It's that large wingspan that makes him so dangerous as a receiver despite his average athletic traits.

Wydermyer hauled in 46 catches for 506 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore earning second-team All-SEC honors for the second consecutive year.

His production has dipped a little in 2021, but he's still considered to be one of the best tight ends in this upcoming class.

On top of his ability to be a receiving threat at all three levels, he's also a very willing in-line blocker which is aided by his size. That said, he could still work on his polish and technique in that area.

Wydermyer is a solid well-rounded tight end whose size could allow him to find success at the NFL level. Don't be surprised if he ends up a top-50 pick when all is said and done.

2. Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State

If the Jets are looking for a hometown hero to add to their tight end room, Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert is an obvious target.

The pride of Lindenhurst, the Long Island native had offers from over a dozen high-profile FBS schools including Alabama and Notre Dame, but chose to attend Ohio State.

At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Ruckert has excellent size for the position and perhaps the largest wingspan of any tight end in this class. His catch radius is what allows him to truly stand out as a prospect.

Ruckert has a knack for catching any and everything thrown his way with numerous highlight-reel, one-handed grabs to his name. However, despite his impressive receiving traits, he doesn't have an overwhelming amount of experience in that era.

Ruckert has oftentimes been rendered somewhat of an afterthought in Ohio State's stacked offense and he entered the 2021 season with just 28 catches to his credit.

His production has increased as a senior, but his lack of usage will likely be held against him by NFL teams. Makes no mistake, however, Ruckert has proven that he could be a reliable every-down tight end.

He's a willing blocker, an above-average athlete, and has likely the best catch radius in this class. Ruckert makes a ton of sense for the Jets as a potential top-50 pick.

As a personal side note, I played against Ruckert in high school so I'd be pretty stoked if they drafted him.

1. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

No tight end has risen up draft boards this year as quickly as Trey McBride. Already seen as an NFL Draft prospect going into the year, McBride's production as a senior has helped catapult him to the top of many tight end rankings.

At 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, McBride is a large-bodied tight end who excels as a run blocker. Many saw him as a fringe starter at the NFL level heading into the season.

That was until he exploded onto the scene and became one of the most productive receiving threats in all of college football.

In nine games this year, McBride has hauled in a whopping 74 catches for 838 yards and a touchdown. He's averaging over eight catches and over 90 yards per game.

In a game against Toledo earlier in the year, McBride accounted for 109 of Colorado State's 110 passing yards. Trey McBride is Colorado State's offense.

All of a sudden, a player who was once viewed as more of a blocking tight end in the NFL has proven that he could be just as dynamic and productive as a receiver.

Now, production isn't everything and there are still legitimate concerns about just how much upside McBride has as a receiver at the next level.

But it's hard to argue with results. Trey McBride is proving that he can do it all and is making a strong case to be TE1 in this year's draft class.