Jeremy Ruckert is a senior tight end from The Ohio State University. He hails from Lindenhurst, N.Y., where he was the No. 1 player in the state in high school according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Ruckert was a top-40 player in the country and the No. 2 ranked tight end, only behind Brevin Jordan, now of the Houston Texans. Ruckert’s commitment to Ohio State helped the Buckeyes secure 2018’s No. 2 rated recruiting class per 247Sports.
Ruckert possesses an ideal frame for an NFL tight end, standing at 6’5 and 250 pounds. He’s arguably the best blocking tight end in the class but has minimal career production in the receiving game. As a part of the most loaded pass-catching group in the country at Ohio State, Ruckert was not a featured part of the Buckeyes’ offense. However, with All-Americans Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave lurking in the wide receiver room, his lack of involvement was most likely not due to lack of ability.
Jeremy Ruckert is a senior tight end from The Ohio State University. He hails from Lindenhurst, N.Y., where he was the No. 1 player in the state in high school according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Ruckert was a top-40 player in the country and the No. 2 ranked tight end, only behind Brevin Jordan, now of the Houston Texans. Ruckert’s commitment to Ohio State helped the Buckeyes secure 2018’s No. 2 rated recruiting class per 247Sports.
Ruckert possesses an ideal frame for an NFL tight end, standing at 6’5 and 250 pounds. He’s arguably the best blocking tight end in the class but has minimal career production in the receiving game. As a part of the most loaded pass-catching group in the country at Ohio State, Ruckert was not a featured part of the Buckeyes’ offense. However, with All-Americans Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave lurking in the wide receiver room, his lack of involvement was most likely not due to lack of ability.
Jeremy Ruckert Draft Profile
| School |
Ohio State |
| Height |
6’5″ |
| Weight |
250 |
| 40-yard dash |
N/A |
| Age |
21 |
| Year in school |
Senior |
| Recruit stars* |
4 |
| 2022 NFL Draft prediction |
3rd – 4th Round |
* Recruit stars via 247Sports
Jeremy Ruckert College Statistics
| YEAR |
GAMES |
REC |
REC YDS |
AVG |
TD |
| 2018 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
| 2019 |
9 |
14 |
142 |
10.1 |
4 |
| 2020 |
5 |
13 |
151 |
11.6 |
5 |
| 2021 |
11 |
26 |
309 |
11.9 |
3 |
Jeremy Ruckert Dynasty Fantasy Analysis
The NFL will love Ruckert due to his prototypical size and punishing run-blocking. The physical tight end loves contact, utilizing his impressive build to decimate defenders. Blocking doesn’t score us points in fantasy football, but it’s a vital part of football and means a ton to NFL teams. His prowess as a run-blocker will help him see solid NFL Draft capital and help him stay on the field for more snaps once he’s in the league.
Among FBS tight ends with ten or more targets (Statistics referenced via PFF*)
| Year |
Alignment
(In-Line/Slot, Wide) |
Yards Per Route Run (Rank) |
| 2018 |
82%/18% |
0.3* |
| 2019 |
77%/23% |
1.2 (98/185) |
| 2020 |
82%/18% |
0.88 (103/139) |
| 2021 |
64%/36% |
0.82 (146/198) |
* Only one target
As far as his fantasy skill set, he has the tools to be a successful receiver despite not posting big numbers in college. He shows adequate body control and soft, reliable hands as a pass-catcher and is a nightmare for defenders after the catch. As a ball-carrier, he puts that love for physicality and that 6’5, 250-pound frame to work as he pursues contact and sheds tacklers with ease. His route running leaves a lot to be desired, but watch out if he gets the ball in space. He has a large catch radius and is savvy as a red-zone weapon, which should result in the occasional multi-touchdown game during his career.
Route Depth/YAC (Statistics referenced via PFF*)
| Year |
Field Depth (Short 0-9Yds/Intermediate 10-19Yds/Deep 19+ Yds) |
Yards Per Route Run
(Short 0-9Yds/Intermediate 10-19Yds/Deep 19+ Yds) |
YAC/Reception
(Short 0-9Yds/Intermediate 10-19Yds/Deep 19+ Yds) |
| 2018 |
100%/0%/0% |
13/0/0 |
13/0/0 |
| 2019 |
54%/23%/15% |
5.43/11/24.5 |
3/2.7/2.5 |
| 2020 |
80%/10%/0% |
6.38/7/0 |
4.4/0/0 |
| 2021 |
38%/47%/9% |
9.31/9/4.67 |
7.6/4.8/0 |
Like Ruckert, Schultz was also a highly regarded run-blocker without robust receiving stats to his name. Schultz had the frame and the tools to be successful as a receiver but hadn’t done it yet statistically. Fast forward a few years, and Schultz is a fantasy darling and the starting tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. The same type of career arc can happen for Ruckert, who should see similar NFL Draft capital and packs a similar package to Schultz.
Landing Spot and Dynasty Outlook
Jeremy Ruckert’s lackluster stat lines don’t tell the tale of his talent. Ruckert is a solid blocker with the ability to stretch the seam. It was nothing for Ruckert to make an outstretched one-handed catch when he was targeted in college. The biggest obstacle Ruckert will have to overcome in New York is the two tight ends they just signed this offseason. C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin aren’t top-shelf talents, but their presence for at least the next two seasons (possibly three) could render Ruckert a rotational player who never breaks out.
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