Rookie Scouting Profile: TE Jeremy Ruckert

Jeremy Ruckert (TE) Ohio State

Height	Weight	40-Time	DOB	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-5	250	4.68	08/11/2000	Day3	4th round	Cameron Brate

College Production

Ruckert was the No. 1 tight end recruit in the country coming out of high school and clearly made the wrong choice of which college to attend. Despite getting playing time being the starting tight end for the majority of his time at OSU, he was criminally underutilized thanks to the offensive system. During his four years, he caught just 54 passes for 615 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was little more than a big body in the red zone with last year being his best statistical season catching 26 passes for 309 yards and three TDs. At a school that used their TE as a true receiving threat, he has the talent to blow these numbers out of the water.

Strengths

Ideal frame and build.
Excellent catch radius.
Good athlete.
Willingness and toughness to block.
Soft hands.
Above average playing speed.
Impressive route runner.
Good body control.

Weaknesses

Limited opportunity as a pass-catcher.
Limited route tree.
Subpar blocking technique.
Not overly explosive.

Fantasy Outlook

Ruckert is a tough prospect to evaluate based on his limited usage in college. He will be drafted based on measurables and potential as well as the fact he was a top recruit coming out of high school. In the pros, we could see him blossom into a fantasy star or he could end up being a complete dud, and maybe there was more to his limited usage at Ohio State. Only time will tell, but I’m betting on him to at the very least develop into a guy you can pluck off the waivers and there be a decent chance he snags a TD week to week.

There are two teams that would be an ideal landing spot for him and they are in the same division, and both involve him replacing Ricky Seals-Jones. The Giants want to use the tight end and RSJ is the only one of not on the roster. He is far from a lock for greatness and the opportunity for an increased role awaits him in New York. However, Washington would be a great spot as well. They just lost RSJ and the tight end is an integral piece of their passing attack. Yes, they do have Logan Thomas, nevertheless, he is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off an injury-plagued season. I could see either situation working out nicely for Ruckert.

On The Clock

After sitting out Ohio State’s Pro Day while wearing a walking boot, the concerns about Ruckert’s game are enough to scare off of him altogether. He has an upside as high as Dalton Schultz but a scary-low floor of that of a marginally used in-line blocker. Tight end is thin in this class, so after Greg Dulcich and Isaiah Likely, there’s no need to prioritize the position at all before the back end of Round 4.