7 tight ends the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Noah Bryce
Carolina Panthers could draft Jeremy Ruckert (Ohio State)
Measurements:
- Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 250 pounds
2021 Stats:
- 26 receptions
- 309 receiving yards (11.9 YPR)
- 3 touchdowns
- 59.4 PFF grade
If you want an old-school, complete tight end, Jeremy Ruckert is your guy. Adept at both catching the ball and blocking, there is no hole in the Ohio State product’s game.
When watching Ruckert one thought kept coming to mind, Jason Whitten. Now I am not saying that the incoming rookie will be a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but there are similarities in their playstyles.
Ruckert is a big man who doesn’t go down on first contact and will always get you at least another yard by using his superior strength to drag defenders along for the ride. While his sure hands guarantee that the catch will be made as his body absorbs said contact.
He even has highlight catch potential with multiple plays where the ball was snatched out of the air at seemingly impossible angles. Another thing that really jumps out is how Ruckert is able to block and use that as a weapon.
Pass protection against top-flight defensive ends? Check.
Run blocking at the second level? Also, check.
Helping tackles before releasing to catch the ball for big gains? You got it.
The most vital part of this is the tight end keeps his eyes up when blocking, doesn’t get distracted by the play, and finishes out his assignments. Something most young players struggle with.
Ruckert doesn’t have the speed to really get separation at the NFL level and once the ball is in his hands there are very limited yards after the catch chances.
Out of all the tight ends coming out this year, Ruckert is my personal favorite for a fit with the Carolina Panthers based on skillset and availability. Others might have better pass-catching skills but this player has something different.